In Ontario, there is a law that protects your personal health information (PHI). When you visit the Family Health Team and we collect your PHI we must keep that information private and secure. The Family Health Team will only share and use your information when and where we are permitted or required to do so by law or to coordinate your care such as with those providing you with health care or assisting those providers. This includes Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, other Health Care Professionals, and Administrative Staff. We may also share your health information with Ontario Health to update your provincial Electronic Health Record (EHR), in order to help facilitate and coordinate your health care with other providers.
Personal Health Information and Privacy (PHI)
Ontario has a law that protects your PHI and you have the right to know how we may use and give out that information, as well as how you can gain access to it.
Who Can Use and See Your Personal Health Information
Your personal health information must be kept private and secure. You or a person who can legally make decisions for you about your personal health information can use and see it. Your personal health information is shared among the people who provide you with health care.
We may collect, use, and give out your personal health information to others as reasonably necessary to provide you with care, communicate with or consult other health care providers, students in training, to receive payment for health care services, and report as required or permitted by law.
Your Rights and Choices
You or a person who can make decisions about your personal health information have the right:
– to see or request a copy of your personal health information;
– to request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete personal health information
– to request us not to give out your personal health information to other health care providers – unless required or permitted by law to do so;
– to be informed if your personal health information is stolen, lost, or improperly accessed.
Other Important Information
When you give us permission to use or give out your information, you may change your mind at any time. However, sometimes the law allows or requires us to give out your information without your permission. We will request your permission before we give out your information to others who want to provide their products or services, or for certain research projects that require your consent.
Contact Us
There are certain exceptions to these rights or circumstances where we may be required to give out your personal health information. If you have questions or concerns about our privacy practices, please request to speak to the Privacy Officer: Tina Gabriel, Executive Director at 519-442-9834.
If you feel your personal health information has been misused or mishandled, you have the right to file a complaint with the Information and Privacy Officer Commissioner of Ontario.
Email: info@ipc.on.ca or Call: 1-800-387-0073
