privacy

Patient privacy is protected by federal legislation in the Personal Information and Electronics Act (PIEPDA) and provincially by the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).

 

Patient consent is required for the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, with necessary but limited exceptions that would allow health care providers to provide efficient care. Knowledgeable consent may be express or implied and essentially means that a patient must know why personal health information is needed, and that he/she has the right to withhold or withdraw consent.

 

Patient records are protected against unauthorized use, including disclosure, copying, modification or destruction. Adequate protection against theft or loss is required, and notification to the patient of such an occurrence at the first reasonable opportunity is also required.

 

Collection of patient records must be limited to the use for which professional services are rendered.

 

Common exceptions to the rules regarding the use of personal health information include: processing, monitoring, verifying or reimbursing health care claims, measures necessary for obtaining payment,  research and professional education. For example, x-ray images of patients may be used for teaching purposes, but patient names are never disclosed.

 

Fundraising & marketing is allowed, with limitations, under existing legislation, but the use of such information is repugnant to us and will never be used for such purposes.

 

Any request for office policy should be addressed to:

Dr. Sidney M. Fireman who has the responsibility of Privacy Information Officer.