Privacy Policy

Effective Date: July 1st, 2025
Last Updated: Oct 6th, 2026

Western Surgical Group (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Website Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard information when you visit westernsurgical.com, contact us online, or interact with us on social media.

This policy does not cover your medical or health information. Health information is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Information about text messages is covered in the Messaging Privacy Policy below.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

Information You Provide Directly

• Name, email address, and phone number when you contact us or request an appointment
• Responses to our Patient Satisfaction Survey
• Any other information you choose to include in a form or message

Automatically Collected Information

• IP address, browser type, and device information when you visit our website
• Cookies and similar technologies used for analytics and site performance

Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website and to improve its content. We also use Google Tag Manager to manage these tracking tools on our site. Together, these tools may collect information such as:

• Pages visited, time spent on the site, and how you navigate between pages
• Device type, operating system, and browser
• General geographic location (city or region, not precise GPS data)

Google may use this data as described in its Privacy Policy.

Social Media Information

• Profile information and interactions (likes, shares, comments, messages) when you engage with us on Facebook or Instagram
• Engagement data provided by those platforms in line with their own privacy policies

2. How We Use Your Information

• Respond to your questions, messages, and appointment requests
• Operate, maintain, and improve our website
• Understand how visitors use our website through Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager
• Review survey feedback to improve the patient experience
• Respond to comments and messages on our social media accounts
• Protect the security of our website and prevent fraud
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements

3. Privacy Disclosures

• We collect and use consumer data only as needed to provide our services, support communications, and maintain our website and related features.
• We do not share consumer data beyond what is necessary to operate our services and comply with applicable requirements.
• We do not use or share consumer data for marketing purposes except as clearly disclosed to you.

4. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information in the following ways:

• Service Providers: With vendors who help us run our website, such as website hosting and analytics providers. These providers may use your information only to perform services for us.
• Social Media Platforms: When you interact with our Facebook or Instagram accounts, your information is also governed by the privacy policies of those platforms.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law, court order, or government request, or when necessary to protect the rights and safety of our patients, staff, or website users.
• Mobile information will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
• SMS consent is not shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
• Your mobile number, SMS consent, and SMS-related data will not be sold, transferred, or otherwise shared for purposes unrelated to providing SMS services.
• Your data will not be transferred to external organizations.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets.
• We maintain safeguards designed to protect mobile numbers, SMS consent records, and related consumer data against unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

5. Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to monitor site traffic and performance, remember your preferences, and support analytics through Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager.

You can disable cookies or adjust tracking settings in your browser, though some parts of the site may not work as intended. To prevent Google Analytics from using your data, you can install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.

6. Patient Portal

The Patient Portal linked from our website is operated by athenahealth, a third party. Information you enter in the portal is handled under athenahealth’s terms and privacy policy and is protected as described in our Notice of Privacy Practices. This Website Privacy Policy does not apply to the Patient Portal.

7. Social Media

• Anything you share publicly on our Facebook or Instagram pages, such as comments, likes, and shares, may be visible to others.
• Direct messages sent through social platforms are subject to that platform’s privacy rules.
• Please do not share personal health information in comments or messages on social media. To discuss your care, contact our office directly.

8. Data Security

We use reasonable safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. No website or system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request corrections or updates to your information
• Request deletion of your information, subject to our legal obligations, including medical record retention requirements

To exercise these rights, contact us using the details below.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children through it. Parents or guardians may contact us on a child’s behalf. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 through our website, we will delete it promptly.

11. Links to Other Websites

Our website may link to other websites, such as hospitals, insurance providers, and patient education resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Website Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with a new “Last Updated” date.

13. Questions and Contact

If you have any questions about our messaging or privacy program, please contact us through the contact method provided on this website.

14. SMS Opt-Out

You may opt out of receiving text messages from us at any time.

• Reply STOP to any text message to stop receiving SMS messages.
• After you send STOP, you will no longer receive text messages from us unless you opt in again.
• If you need help with our messaging program, reply HELP to any text message.

15. Privacy Notice

This policy includes a clear consumer contact method for questions about our messaging or privacy program, along with explicit SMS opt-out instructions so users can stop receiving text messages at any time.

16. Contact Us

Western Surgical Group
18653 Wedge Pkwy # 170
Reno, NV 89511
Phone: (775) 323-7500
Email: info@westernsurgical.com