Privacy Policy
Purpose and Background
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses ("AORN") has developed this Privacy Policy for its Web site: www.patientsafetyfirst.org. It discloses how AORN protects its members' and customers' privacy by controlling the use of information AORN collects from them. AORN has created this Internet Privacy Policy to demonstrate its commitment to its members' and customers' right to privacy. The following information discloses AORN's information gathering and dissemination practices for this Web site, www.patientsafetyfirst.org. Through its interaction with you, AORN has various sources for member/customer information, for example, forms you may fill out and submit. AORN stores all the information it collects in its central databases. Although the following provisions constitute AORN's Privacy Policy for www.patientsafetyfirst.org, they apply in principle to all customer/member information held by AORN.
Availability
AORN will post this plan on its Web site www.patientsafetyfirst.org and it will be linked from the front page and from any page where member or customer information is collected.
Information Collected by AORN
AORN forms collect only the information for which they ask you explicitly and which you enter in them. AORN does not collect any information other than form information and log files. AORN collects information through the following pages:
· Site feedback comments form.
AORN also keeps Internet log files of the IP addresses and click sequences, and session variables such as browser type, of visitors to www.patientsafetyfirst.org. AORN will modify this section as necessary as it adds new features to the site.
Personal Information from Children and Adults
AORN does not intentionally or knowingly collect information from children. AORN neither identifies information as originating from children nor does AORN market its goods and services to children. AORN restricts its collection of personal information to demographic characteristics which help it understand its members/customers and their needs (see below), and (potentially) to information used in authorized transactions (for example: address and credit card number for online purchases).
AORN's Use of the Collected Information
AORN uses the information it collects in three ways: (1) some information is used internally and for AORN marketing purposes; (2) some information is used in the sale of mailing lists; and (3) some information remains in computer files, which are the basis of statistical reports, with no member/customer detail extracted. Each of these uses is discussed below.
(1) Information Used Internally and for AORN Marketing Purposes: Name, address, fax, email, affiliation, industry, job title, race, gender, age and other similar information is used by AORN to understand its audiences and to offer member benefits and products to members/customers who are likely to be interested in them.
(2) Information Used in the Sale of Mailing Lists: AORN rents addresses collected from members and nonmembers. Prior to renting an address, the requesting renter must provide AORN with their exact intended use of the address and a sample of the mailing that will be sent out. AORN's decision on whether or not to rent an address is based on the educational nature of the mailing piece and whether it furthers the overall interests of AORN. AORN rents addresses segmented on the basis of geographic location or conference attendance, but does not rent lists based on purchase of specific products or services, or other demographic information. AORN and its agents use "dummy" addresses in rented lists to detect and prevent renter abuse or multiple use of lists. Under no circumstances does AORN rent telephone or fax numbers, or email addresses.
(3) Information Used for AORN Statistical Reports: AORN collects IP addresses for information about the geographic spread of internet users. AORN may record type and version of browser, sequence of pages viewed, and length of session for use in improving site navigation and usefulness. This information is for statistical analysis and is not correlated with any specific user.
Use of Internet Cookies
AORN does not presently use Internet cookies. The Association reserves the right to do so should this technology be required to enhance member/customer service through www.patientsafetyfirst.org, for example, when AORN offers members the ability to personalize the site’s behavior for them. Members/customers who do not allow placement of a persistent cookie on their machine may not be able to use a Web site feature (because the Web site will not be able to recognize them) unless they login each time
An explanation of "cookies": In brief, when a user visits a Web site feature that uses cookies, the web server sends a short string of characters to the user's browser. These characters are stored on the user's machine so that the server can identify the specific user later in the same visit or during a future visit. Cookie technology can allow users of features to configure which material they see, in what order, and other details that the server will remember. Users can set their browsers not to accept cookies, or to warn them when a Web site tries to place a cookie on their machine. They can also delete existing cookies. AORN believes that this technology can enhance web customer service and save users from restating their preferences on each visit. AORN does not permit downloads or cookies from third party Web sites and does not use cookies for any marketing purpose.
Opting Out
AORN recognizes that members/customers may wish to limit AORN's use of personal information, and that this decision may occur after information is provided. If desired, AORN will mark a member/customer's records in its central database to exclude their address in various ways. To accomplish this, members/customers should email complete contact information and instructions to custserv@aorn.org or call 800-755-2676. AORN is able to modify records in the following ways:
· Exclude from Mail – cuts off all AORN member communication via mail or email (most often used when two members in the same household want only one copy of AORN materials, when the Post Office returns mail as undeliverable, or when Association charges remain unpaid).
· Exclude from Vendor Mail – keeps address off mailing lists or labels rented/sold by AORN to providers of products and services.
· Exclude from AORN Congress Mail – cuts off all mail and email information about AORN’s Congress.
· Exclude from MBNA Partner Mail – cuts off all mail from the partners of AORN’s affiliate credit card program bank.
· Exclude from Mass Email – cuts off all AORN email, except specific lists for which the member/customer has registered.
· Exclude from e-chapter listserv – cuts off the email from all AORN e-chapters.
· Exclude from specialty assembly directory – prevents inclusion in the published directory of AORN’s special interest groups.
· Exclude from AORN Telemarketing – prevents AORN marketing telephone calls.
· Delete fax number – deletes fax numbers from the member/customer record.
Requesting that AORN modify a record in one or more of these ways could deprive the member/customer of some of the many benefits of their association with AORN.
Your Permission
By using AORN's Web site, you consent to the collection and use of the information by AORN unless you have OPTED OUT (see above). If we change our privacy or security policies in the future, those changes will be posted here so you always know what information we collect, how we use it, and how we protect it.
Further Explanations
We would be happy to explain any of our privacy and security policies to you in person. Questions regarding information privacy may be directed to Customer Service at custserv@aorn.org. Please include a phone number so we may respond directly.
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