OATC provides Opioid Agonist Therapy and other health care services to patients. As a provider of healthcare services, OATC collects, uses and discloses personal health information about our patients. We at OATC are committed to meeting the highest standard of ethics with respect to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of the personal health information that we collect, use and disclose. OATC strives to protect the privacy rights of our patients by meeting or exceeding the standards established by law, including Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (“PHIPA”).
Consent
We will collect, use and disclose your personal health information with your express and/or implied consent. You may withdraw or limit your consent at any time. In cases where we collect, use or disclose your personal health information without your consent, we will only do so if we are required or permitted by law to do so. For example, we may be required to disclose personal health information without your consent,
- If a patient indicates that they may be a danger to themselves or to others.
- In the case of apparent, suspected or potential child abuse.
- When the court issues a subpoena for records or requires OATC staff to attend at Court.
- If a patient reports an incident of sexual abuse by a regulated health professional.
Collection of Personal Health Information
In connection with providing opioid agonist therapy and other health care services, we will collect your personal health information such as your name, date of birth, address, health history, family health history, and information about other care and treatment you have received. We will collect this information directly from you, or from a person acting on your behalf. We will also record the treatment we provide, including your compliance with the terms of the Opioid Agonist Therapy 3 Way Patient Contract that all patients must sign.
Occasionally, we may collect personal health information from other sources, including other health care providers, where we have obtained your consent to do so or if the law permits.
We will not collect personal health information if other information will serve the purpose. In addition, we will not collect more personal health information than is reasonably necessary to meet the purposes for which we will use this information.
Uses and Disclosure of Personal Health Information
Personal health information is “identifying information” about an individual, whether oral or recorded. It includes any information about an individual’s health or health care history. “Identifying information” means information that could identify an individual when used alone or with other information.
We (including OATC staff and physicians) may use and disclose personal health information to:
- Facilitate and provide opioid agonist therapy and other health care services;
- Maintain communication;
- Bill the government or third party payors for the provision of services;
- Educate our agents to provide better care and services;
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements;
- Plan, administer and manage our internal operations;
- Conduct risk management and quality improvement activities;
- Conduct permitted research;
- Compile statistics (as mandated by provincially governed programs);
- Comply with legal and regulatory requirements; and
- Fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law.
We will obtain the appropriate consent if we wish to use personal health information for any other purpose. Unless a patient tells us not to do so, we may share personal health information with other professionals, agencies and providers who are involved in the care and treatment of the patient. We will not share personal health information with any other person unless a patient gives us express consent to do so or if the law requires us to do so.
When using personal health information, we exercise the highest level of care and will take all reasonable steps to ensure that personal health information is accurate, complete and up-to-date for the purpose the information is being used.
Access and Correction of Record of Personal Health Information
Under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004, you have the right to request access to and correction of your record of personal health information. If you would like to access or correct your record, you may make a written request to the Contact Person identified below.
Contact Person and Privacy Policy
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our privacy practices please ask to review our Privacy Policy. You may also contact Matt Grifa, CFO and designated Privacy Officer for OATC at : 905-773-0455 or feedback@oatc.ca. If you have a concern that you are unable to resolve with OATC, you may contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, ON, M4W 1A8.