Privacy Policy

DETAILED OFFICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Protecting Personal Information 

  1. Openness and transparency

1.1 We value patient privacy and act to ensure that it is protected.

1.2 This policy was written to capture our current practices and to respond to federal and provincial requirements for the protection of personal information.

1.3 This policy describes how this office collects, protects and discloses the personal information of patients and the rights of patients with respect to their personal information.

  1. Accountability 

2.1 Patient information is sensitive by nature. Employees and all others in this office who assist with or provide care (including students and locums) are required to be aware of and adhere to the protections described in this policy for the appropriate use and disclosure of personal information.

2.2 All persons in this office who have access to personal information must adhere to the following information management practices

  • Office information management practices
  • Access is on a need to know basis
  • Access is restricted to authorized users
  • Staff are aware of and understand requirements to protect personal information
  • Appropriate sanctions for failure to fulfill requirements

2.3 This office employs strict privacy protections to ensure that

  • We collect, use and disclose personal information only for the purposes of providing care and treatment or the administration of that care, or for other purposes expressly consented to by the patient.
  • We educate and train staff on the importance of protecting personal information.

Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information 

  1. Collection of personal information 

3.1 We collect the following personal information

Identification and Contact information including: 

  • name
  • date of birth
  • address phone and/or fax and/or email
  • emergency contact information
  • record of patient appointment times

Billing information including:

  • 3rd Party insurance information for the purpose of direct billing if needed

Health information, including:

  • medical history
  • presenting symptoms
  • physical examination findings
  • relevant medical history of family members
  • test requisitions and results (laboratory tests and x-rays)
  • reports from specialists or other health providers
  • diagnosis and treatment notes (including prescriptions)
  • allergies
  • list of medications
  • information to be provided to third parties at the patient’s request (e.g., workers compensation, reports for legal proceedings, insurance claims, government claims)

3.2 Limits on collection

We will only collect the information that is required to provide care, administrate the care that is provided, and communicate with patients. We will not collect any other information, or allow information to be used for other purposes, without the patient’s express consent – except where authorized to do so by law. These limits on collection ensure that we do not collect unnecessary information.

  1. Use of personal information

4.1 Personal information collected from patients is used by this office for the purposes of

  • Identification and contact
  • Emergency contact
  • Provision and continuity of care
  • Historical record
  • Health promotion and prevention
  • Referral to specialists or other treating physicians
  • Requesting laboratory investigations
  • Requesting diagnostic tests
  • Generating prescriptions
  • Referral to other health care providers
  • Administrate the care that is provided
  • Professional requirements
  • Maintenance of competence
  1. Disclosure of personal information 

5.1 Implied consent (Disclosures to other providers)

5.1.1 Unless otherwise indicated, you can assume that patients have consented to the use of their information for the purposes of providing them with care, including sharing the information with other health providers involved in their care. By virtue of seeking care from us, the patient’s consent is implied for the provision of that care.

5.1.2 Relevant health information is shared with other providers involved in the patient’s care, including (but not limited to):

  • other practitioners in this practice
  • other healthcare providers in the after hours call group
  • locums (Chiropody/Podiatry)
  • students
  • nursing or other health care students
  • other physicians and specialists
  • Pharmacists
  • lab technicians

5.2 Without consent (Disclosures mandated or authorized by law)

5.2.1 There are limited situations where the health practitioner is legally required to disclose personal information without the patient’s consent. Examples of these situations include (but are not limited to):

  • reporting specific diseases
  • reporting abuse (child, elder, spouse, etc)
  • reporting fitness (to drive, fly, etc)
  • by court order (when subpoenaed in a court case)
  • in regulatory investigations
  • for quality assessment (peer review)
  • for risk and error management, e.g., medical-legal advice

5.3 Express Consent (Disclosures to all other third parties)

5.3.1 The patient’s express consent (oral or written) is required before we will disclose personal information to third parties for any purpose other than to provide care or unless authorized to do so by law.

5.3.2 Examples of situations that involve disclosures to third parties include (but are not limited to): third party medical examinations provision of charts or chart summaries to insurance companies letters to lawyers

5.4 Withdrawal of consent

5.4.1 Patients have the option to withdraw consent to have their information shared with other health providers at any time.

5.4.2 Patients also have the option to withdraw consent to have their information shared with third parties.

5.4.3 If a patient chooses to withdraw their consent, the healthcare provider will discuss any significant consequences that might result with respect to their care and treatment (e.g., possible negative impact on the care provided).

Office Safeguards 

  1. Security measures

6.1 Safeguards are in place to protect the security of patient information.

6.2 These safeguards include a combination of physical, technological (for offices where computers are in use) and administrative security measures.

6.2.1 We use the following physical safeguards limited access to office authorized access only limited access to records need to know basis password protected electronic records office layout/features soundproofing and/or white noise to ensure confidentiality

6.2.2 We use the following

  • technological safeguards
  • protected computer access for patient health information
  • passwords
  • user authentication
  • system protections
  • firewall software
  • virus scanning software

6.2.3 We use the following

  • administrative safeguards
  • Office information management practices
  • Access is on a need to know basis
  • Access is restricted to authorized users
  • staff are aware of and understand requirements to protect personal information
  • appropriate sanctions for failure to fulfill requirements
  1. Communications policy 

7.1 We are sensitive to the privacy of personal information and this is reflected in how we communicate with our patients, others involved in their care and all third parties.

7.2 We protect personal information regardless of the format.

7.3 We use specific procedures to communicate personal information by 7.3.1

Telephone – no audible playback of voice messages in office

7.3.2

Fax –  our fax machine is located in a secure or supervised area (restricted public access)

7.3.3

Email –  firewall and virus scanning software is in place to mitigate against unauthorized modification, loss, access or disclosure

7.3.4

Post/Courier – addressed to the authorized recipient

  1. Record retention 

8.1 We retain patient records as required by law and professional regulations set by the College of Chiropodists if Ontario.

8.2 The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) advises members to retain their medical records for at least 10 years from the date of last entry or, in the case of minors, 10 years from the time the patient would have reached the age of majority (age 18 or 19 in all jurisdictions).

  1. Procedures for secure disposal/destruction of personal information

9.1 When information is no longer required, it is destroyed or retained according to set procedures that govern the storage and destruction of personal information.

9.1.1 We use the following methods to destroy/dispose of paper records shredding

9.1.2 We use the following methods to destroy/dispose of electronic records

  • We seek expert advice on how to dispose of electronic records and hardware. At a minimum, we ensure that all information is wiped clean where possible prior to disposal of electronic data storage devices (e.g., surplus computers, internal and external hard drives, diskettes, tapes, CD-ROMs, etc.).
  • Properly disposed of computer hard drive

Patient Rights 

  1. Access to information 

10.1 Patients have the right to access their record in a timely manner.

10.2 If a patient requests a copy of their records, one will be provided at a reasonable cost.

10.3 Access shall only be provided upon approval of the health practitioner.

10.4 If the patient wishes to view the original record, one of our staff must be present to maintain the integrity of the record, and a reasonable fee may be charged for this access.

10.5 Patients can submit access requests

  • verbally
  • in writing
  • directed to the health practitioner
  • directed to any office staff

10.6 This office follows specific procedures to respond to patient access requests

  • we acknowledge receipt of request
  • we respond within a timely fashion
  1. Limitations on access 

11.1 In extremely limited circumstances the patient may be denied access to their records, but only if providing access would create a risk to that patient or to another person.

11.1.1 For example, when the information could reasonably be expected to seriously endanger the mental or physical health or safety of the individual making the request or another person.

11.1.2 Or if the disclosure would reveal personal information about another person who has not consented to the disclosure. In this case, we will do our best to separate out this information and disclose only what is appropriate.

  1. Accuracy of information 

12.1 We make every effort to ensure that all patient information is recorded accurately.

12.2 If an inaccuracy is noted, the patient can request changes in their own record, and this request is documented by an annotation in the record.

12.3 No notation shall be made without the approval or authorization of the health practitioner.

  1. Privacy and Access Complaints 

13.1 It is important to us that our privacy policies and practices address patient concerns and respond to patient needs.

13.2 A patient who believes that this office has not responded to their access request or handled their personal information in a reasonable manner is encouraged to address their concerns first with their health practitioner.

13.2.1 Patient complaints can be made

  • in writing: 15955 Airport Road, Unit# 202 Caledon East, ON L7C 1H9
  • in email: caledon@footclinic.co

13.2.2 This office follows specific procedures for responding to patient complaints

  • Patients are informed of relevant complaint mechanisms
  • We acknowledge and respond to patients in a timely fashion
  • All complaints shall be investigated
  • If justified, remedial measures will be taken, such as amending policies, procedures, and practices