Privacy at ARCH Hospice
Statement of Information Practices
To ensure the proper oversight and promotion of the health and well-being of the residents of ARCH, ARCH uses and discloses the personal health information (PHI) of individuals who use ARCH Services according to legislation, policy, and governing bodies policy.
This written statement describes:
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How ARCH collects, uses, and discloses your personal health information
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How you can access and correct records of your personal health information
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Practices and safeguards that ARCH maintains with respect to personal health information (PHI)
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How you can make a complaint
On November 1st, 2004, the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) came into force. This law:
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sets out the rules “health information custodians” (HIC) must follow when collecting, using, and disclosing your personal health information
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gives you the right to request access to and correction of your personal health records
ARCH is a health information custodian (HIC) under the Act.
Consent
ARCH will collect, use and disclose your personal health information with your consent.
Under, PHIPA, you have the right to consent, or to withhold your consent, to the ARCH’s collection, use, and disclosure of your personal health information (PHI), except in specific circumstances where the law authorizes the ARCH to collect, use or disclose your information without consent (e.g., such as reporting for public health purposes).
In cases where ARCH will collect, use or disclose personal health information without your consent, it will do so only where ARCH has clear authority under PHIPA.
Collection of Personal Health Information
ARCH will collect, use and disclose your personal health information with your consent.
Under, PHIPA, you have the right to consent, or to withhold your consent, to the ARCH’s collection, use, and disclosure of your personal health information (PHI), except in specific circumstances where the law authorizes the ARCH to collect, use or disclose your information without consent (e.g., such as reporting for public health purposes).
In cases where ARCH will collect, use or disclose personal health information without your consent, it will do so only where ARCH has clear authority under PHIPA.
Uses & Disclosures of Personal Health Information
ARCH uses personal health information to:
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Determine or verify the eligibility of individuals with respect to ARCH services
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Plan, administer, and evaluate programs and services provided by ARCH
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Conduct research in accordance with PHIPA
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Undertake specific activities as permitted or required by law (e.g., to comply with a court order)
ARCH also may disclose personal health information for these purposes or other purposes such as:
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Facilitating the provision of healthcare.
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Improving the provision of healthcare through prescribed registries
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Analyzing data by/through prescribed entities to inform health sector planning and management.
The Ministry may also provide personal health information to eHealth Ontario for the purpose of eHealth Ontario creating or maintaining electronic health records. ARCH does not trade or sell personal health information.
Practices & Safeguards to Protect Confidentiality & Security of Personal Health Information
ARCH has well-established administrative, technical, and physical safeguards and practices in place to protect the confidentiality and security of information in its custody and under its control. For example, all ARCH employees, volunteers, and service workers are provided education and sign privacy and confidentiality agreements prior to coming into contact with any personal health information. ARCH maintains physical safeguards, such as facility/premises access controls and “clean desk” practices, in addition to technical safeguards, such as unique user identification for access to electronic systems and security features to protect information transmitted electronically. ARCH complies with various policies, including those governing workstation use and security; confidential information; retention of recorded information; password protection; faxing procedures; and usage of electronic mail systems. ARCH takes steps regularly to ensure that staff is aware of these policies. When relying on third parties for services, ARCH addresses the party’s obligations with respect to confidentiality and security of information in written agreements.
Please contact ARCH if you would like to review more detailed information about the ARCH’s practices and safeguards.
Accessing & Correcting Your Records of Personal Health Information
Under PHIPA, you have the right to request access to and correction of your records of personal health information that are under ARCH’s custody or control. If you want to see or correct your records you may make a written request to ARCH’s Privacy Officer identified below.
Contact Person at ARCH Hospice
For more information about the information practices of ARCH, or to request access to and correction of your records of personal health information in the custody or control of ARCH, please see ARCH’s website, or please contact:
Privacy Officer at Algoma Residential Community Hospice
229 Fourth Line West, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 0B5
Telephone: 705-942-1556 extension 233
Complaints or Concerns
If you have a complaint about the ARCH’s information practices or access to your record of personal health information, please contact the Privacy Officer.
You may also make a complaint to the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC). They can be contacted at:
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, ON M4W 1A8
Telephone: 416-326-3333 or 1-800-387-0073
Fax: 416-325-9195
TTY: 416-325-7539
Website: www.ipc.on.ca
For More Information, please call ARCH Hospice at 705-942-1556 | Hours of Operation: 8:30am - 5:00pm