Privacy Statement
RCHS is committed to protecting privacy and confidentiality of our client’s personal health information. This privacy statement outlines how we collect, use, disclose and safeguard your personal information in accordance with PHIPA.
Information We Collect
We collect and maintain various types of personal health information including but not limited to:
- Patient demographics (eg. Name, address, date of birth)
- Medical history and current health condition
- Treatment and care provided.
- Record of your visits
- Health card number
- Other relevant information
How We Use Your Information
We use your personal health information for purposes including but not limited to:
- Providing medical treatment and services
- Processing insurance claims
- Conducting quality improvement activities
- Complying with legal and regulatory requirements
Disclosure of Your Personal Health Information
We may disclose your personal health information to:
- Healthcare professionals involved in your care.
- Companies that bill for your treatment and care (eg. WSIB, private insurers, funding agencies etc).
- Inform funding agencies (eg. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care) for health system management purposes.
- Conduct quality improvement activities.
- Ensure we comply with legal and regulatory requirements (eg. Infectious disease reporting).
- *Enable our participation in shared Electronic Health Records programs and/or regional and provincial health information repositories to help provide you with care.
Security Measures
How we safeguard your personal health information:
- We maintain physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your personal health information from theft, copying, unauthorized access, use or disclosure.
- We conduct audits and complete investigations to monitor and manage our privacy compliance.
- We take steps to ensure that everyone who performs services for us protects your privacy and only uses your personal health information for the purposes you have consented to.
Your Rights
- Access and request copies of your health information
- Request amendments to inaccurate or incorrect information
- Request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your information
- Right to withdraw your consent for use and disclosure but may be subject to legal exceptions
- File a complaint if you believe your privacy rights have been violated (see below)
Changes to this Privacy Statement
RCHS reserves the right to update this Privacy Statement as needed. Any changes will be posted on our website and will be effective immediately upon posting.
*Connecting Ontario is the platform enabling doctors and clinicians to share your medical data in a safe, secure digital format that will improve the care you receive. If you have any questions or concerns about this program you may call 1-866-250-1554 or email info@ehealthontario.on.ca
For more information about our privacy practices or to raise a concern; please contact our Privacy Officer at 613-269-3400 ext. 162 or email privacy@rideauchs.ca.
If you believe your rights have been violated, you can contact the Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner’s Office:
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400,
Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8
Tel: 416-326-3333 or 1-800-387-0073
Fax: 416-325-9195
Web: www.ipc.on.ca
Email: info@ipc.on.ca