Patient Resources

Website Privacy Policy

Last updated:

This policy describes information collected through the Karing Hearts Cardiology public website, including contact and appointment requests, newsletter signups, and use of website features. It also explains how to contact our office with privacy questions.

Information collected

Information you provide. Contact and appointment-request forms ask for your name, telephone number, and email address. Newsletter signup asks for your name and email address. If you contact the practice, you may also provide other information relevant to your request.

Information from website use. Website servers and tools may receive your IP address, browser and device information, referring page, pages viewed, and the date and time of visits. Cookies and similar technologies may also collect information about your interactions with the website.

Please provide only the information needed for your request. Do not enter medical records, Social Security numbers, payment-card details, or portal passwords into general website forms. For questions about securely sharing medical information, call our office or use the patient portal.

How information is used and shared

Information you submit is used to respond to your inquiry, follow up on an appointment request, or provide the newsletter you requested. Website information may also be used to operate and maintain the site, understand its use, troubleshoot problems, and address spam, fraud, or security concerns.

Service providers supporting website hosting, forms, communications, and website tools may process information in connection with those services. Information may also be disclosed when required by law or as otherwise permitted by applicable law. Uses and disclosures of protected health information are subject to HIPAA and other applicable requirements, as explained in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Submitting a website form or reading this policy does not authorize uses or disclosures of your protected health information that require a separate authorization.

Cookies and website tools

Cookies are small files that a website can store on your device. Website tools may use cookies or similar technologies to support site features and collect information about website activity.

We use Google Analytics to understand website activity, Google Ads for advertising and measurement, and Meta/Facebook Pixel for advertising measurement and related advertising features. Google Tag Manager helps load and manage website tools.

Depending on their configuration, these tools may collect or receive information such as your IP address, browser and device details, online identifiers, pages viewed, and interactions with links or forms. Google and Meta may associate information with other information they hold and use it under their own policies, including for measurement or personalized advertising where enabled. The exact information collected depends on the settings of the tools and your privacy choices.

These descriptions explain the website tools; they do not authorize the disclosure of protected health information to an advertising service.

You can use your browser settings to manage or delete cookies. Blocking cookies may affect some features and does not necessarily prevent every type of information collection. Contact our office with questions about the tools used on this website.

You can also review Google advertising preferences — opens in a new tab and Facebook advertising preferences — opens in a new tab. Account-level advertising preferences do not necessarily stop all website measurement or data collection.

Patient portal, payments, referrals, and other websites

Links on this website take you to the Medfusion patient portal, Phreesia payment service, and Preferral/AristaMD referral service. Information entered there is processed within those services rather than the general website contact form. Review the privacy notices provided by the service you use, together with our Notice of Privacy Practices where applicable.

Directions links open Google Maps. Social media, the Heart & Vascular Center, and Kari’s Heart Foundation links also take you to other websites. Those websites have their own privacy practices. Do not post personal medical information on public social media pages.

Your choices and requests

  • You can call our office instead of submitting a general website form.
  • To stop receiving newsletters, use the unsubscribe option in the email, when provided, or contact our office.
  • To ask about information submitted through this website, request a correction, or ask about deletion, contact our office. Available options depend on the information and applicable recordkeeping requirements; some records cannot be deleted on request.
  • For access to medical records, amendments, confidential communications, or other medical privacy rights, follow the instructions in our Notice of Privacy Practices.

If you believe your health information privacy rights have been violated, you can contact our office or learn how to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — opens in a new tab.

Retention and security

Retention periods depend on the type of information, the reason it was collected, and applicable recordkeeping obligations. Medical records may be subject to different requirements from website inquiries or newsletter subscriptions. Contact our office for information about a particular record or request.

No website, email system, or method of electronic storage can guarantee complete security. Please avoid sending sensitive information through general website forms or ordinary email, and contact the practice for an appropriate way to share it.

Children’s information

A parent or guardian seeking care or information for a child should contact our office for guidance on the appropriate communication channel. Please do not include a child’s medical information in a general website inquiry.

Changes to this policy

Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date. Contact our office if you have questions about a change or would like a copy of this policy.

Contact us about privacy

For a website privacy question or help reaching the person responsible for privacy at the practice, call our main office or write to:

Karing Hearts Cardiology
Attention: Privacy Questions
701 N State of Franklin Rd, Suite 2
Johnson City, TN 37604

Phone: 423-926-4468

Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is an invasive heart procedure where an ultrasound probe is inserted into your esophagus (food pipe). A transesophageal echocardiogram allows your cardiologist to acquire detailed pictures pertaining to the structure, function and any valvular heart disease that many be present. This procedure demonstrates your cardiac function in much greater detail than a standard transthoracic echocardiogram.

Prior to your procedure, you should not have any food or drink for 8-12 hours. In most cases, you will be able to take your home medications as scheduled. Your cardiologist / healthcare provider will advise you if there are any requirements to alter your medication schedule. Prior to your transesophageal echocardiogram, the technologist will insert an IV in your arm as a safety precaution to begin the test. This will allow sedation to be given to make you more comfortable during your procedure. During your procedure, you will be required to lie flat for approximately 30 minutes while the test is being completed. After your transesophageal echocardiogram, you will need to refrain from driving for approximately 12 hours and will need someone to accompany you home after the procedure. You can return to your normal activities the morning after your procedure.