Kawartha North
Family Health Team
KNHT Privacy Policy
Privacy and Confidentiality
Your health information deserves to be treated with respect and your privacy is protected. Access to your personal health information is available only to those who need to know and you have involved in your healthcare. These may include physicians, specialists, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Case Manager, Social Worker, Pharmacist, Registered Dietician or Chiropodist. When your personal health information is collected, the privacy and confidentiality of the information is protected.
Electronic Health Records
All client health information is maintained in password and firewall protected electronic health records. This state-of-the-art software only allows health professionals identified as involved in your health care to have access to your information.
Legislation
The KNFHT is under the Health Information Protection Act (November 2004), comprised of both the Personal Health Information Protection Act (2004) and the Quality of Care Information Protection Act (2004).
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Privacy Principles
Principle 1 - Accountability for Personal Information
The KNFHT is responsible for personal information under its custody or
control and has a designated individual, the Chief Privacy Officer, who
is accountable for the organization's compliance with the legislation
and the privacy principles that follow.
Principle 2 - Identifying Purposes for Collection of Personal Information
As your personal information is being collected, the KNFHT will identify
the purpose for which it is collected. The primary purposes include:
delivery of direct patient care; administration of the health care
system; research and statistics; or to comply with legal and regulatory
requirements.
Principle 3 - Consent for the Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
Your knowledge and consent are required for the collection, use or
disclosure of personal information, except where inappropriate
(guardianship; power of attorney).
Principle 4 - Limiting Collection of Personal Information
Only information that is needed for the purposes of the Family Health
Team will be collected. Information will be collected by fair and lawful
means.
Principle 5 - Limiting Use, Disclosure and Retention of Personal Information
Personal information will not be used or disclosed for purposes other
than for those for which it was collected, except with the consent of
the individual or as required by law. Personal information will be
retained only as long as necessary for fulfillment of those purposes and
in compliance with legislation.
Principle 6 - Ensuring Accuracy of Personal Information
Personal information will be as accurate, complete and up-to-date as is
necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.
Principle 7 - Ensuring Safeguards for Personal Information
Security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information
will be used to protect personal information.
Principle 8 - Openness about Personal Information Policies and Practices
Information regarding the FHT's policies and practices relating to the
management of personal information are available upon request.
Principle 9 - Individual Access to their own Personal Information
An individual may request access to their personal health information.
An individual may challenge the accuracy and completeness of the
information and have it amended as appropriate.
Principle 10 - Challenging Compliance with KNFHT's Privacy Policies and Practices
An individual may direct a challenge concerning compliance with the
above principles to the Chief Privacy Officer.
