Privacy Policy

Privacy and Confidentiality

The Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre is responsible for personal health information under its control and is committed to a high standard of privacy for their information practices. We are committed to ensuring that staff and patients understand the importance of privacy rights and obligations. We are also committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality and security of all personal health information we are entrusted with by our patients in order to carry out our mission to provide the highest quality patient care.The Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre is responsible for personal health information under its control and is committed to a high standard of privacy for their information practices. We are committed to ensuring that staff and patients understand the importance of privacy rights and obligations. We are also committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality and security of all personal health information we are entrusted with by our patients in order to carry out our mission to provide the highest quality patient care.

 

On November 1, 2004, the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) became law. PHIPA is Ontario's new health-specific privacy legislation. It governs the manner in which personal health information may be collected, used and disclosed within the health care system. PHIPA balances an individual's right to privacy with the need of health care providers to access and share this information.

 

Collection of Personal Health Information

We collect personal health information about you directly from you or from the person acting on your behalf. The personal health information that we collect may include, for example, your name, date of birth, address, health history, records of your visits to the Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre and the care that you received during those visits. Occasionally, we collect personal health information about you from other sources if we have obtained your consent to do so or if the law permits.

 

Uses and Disclosures of Personal Health Information

We use and disclose your personal health information to treat and care for you,

  • get payment for your treatment and care (from OHIP, WSIB, your private insurer or others),
  • plan, administer and manage our internal operations,
  • conduct risk management activities,
  • conduct quality improvement activities (patient satisfaction surveys),
  • teach,
  • conduct research,
  • compile statistics,
  • fundraise to improve our healthcare services and programs,
  • comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and
  • fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law.

 

Obtaining Access to a Record

A patient of the Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre can receive a copy of their health records by submitting a request to the Health Information Department. The "Authorization for Disclosure of Health Records" will need to be completed and can be picked up in the Health Information Department. Health Information Management requires the original signed authorization form in order to complete your request. Requests must include name, date of birth and mailing address and the type of information requested. The request must be dated, witnessed and signed by another person.A patient of the Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre can receive a copy of their health records by submitting a request to the Health Information Department. The "Authorization for Disclosure of Health Records" will need to be completed and can be picked up in the Health Information Department. Health Information Management requires the original signed authorization form in order to complete your request. Requests must include name, date of birth and mailing address and the type of information requested. The request must be dated, witnessed and signed by another person 

To have records released to a relative, friend, family doctor or another institution, a signed consent must be submitted to the Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre giving the hospital authorization to release the information. The consent will be valid for three months and it must be dated and witnessed. 

There is an administration fee for non-medical requests. The payment fee must be submitted prior to the information being accessed. The fees are collected for processing purposes. The Health Information custodian will notify the attending physician as the custodian will not provide interpretation, explanation or definition of the medical terminology or hospital procedures.

 

Requesting a Correction to a Record

If an individual believes that their record is inaccurate or incomplete, they may submit a written request for a correction to their record. The Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre will grant or refuse this request within 30 days by written notice.If an individual believes that their record is inaccurate or incomplete, they may submit a written request for a correction to their record. The Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre will grant or refuse this request within 30 days by written notice.

A request will be granted if the individual demonstrates that the record is incomplete or inaccurate, and the necessary information to correct the record is given to the Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre. The Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre may not grant a request for correction if the record was not created at our facility, or if the record consists of a professional opinion made in good faith. A formal letter will be sent to the physician notifying them about the request for correction, and asking the physician if they wish to accept the request for correction. 

If a request is refused, the Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre will provide a written Notice of Refusal to the individual explicitly stating the reason for the refusal. The individual has the right to make a complaint to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, if a request is refused.

 

Contacting the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner

Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
80 Bloor St. West, Suite 1700
Toronto, Ontario  M5S 2V1