Protecting Your Privacy
At Child Counselling Therapy, we are committed to safeguarding your personal health information in compliance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). This law ensures that any information that identifies you and relates to your health, healthcare history, healthcare providers, or health card numbers is handled with the utmost care and confidentiality.
What Constitutes Personal Health Information?
Personal health information can exist in many forms—written, spoken, or electronic—and includes:
- Health Records and History: Comprehensive documentation of your medical background and current health conditions.
- Case Management Records: Notes and records related to the management of your care.
- Service Delivery Assessments: Evaluations of services provided to you.
- Healthcare Details: Information regarding the services and treatments you have received.
- Lab and Test Results: Data from medical tests and laboratory findings.
- Healthcare Providers: Details about the professionals involved in your care.
- Payment and Eligibility: Records of payments for services and your eligibility status.
- Body Donations: Information about donations of body parts or substances, including related tests.
- Health Insurance Numbers (OHIP): Your health card number and other identification data.
Our Commitment to Your Privacy
We prioritize your privacy by adhering strictly to PHIPA regulations. Your personal health information is accessible only to authorized staff directly involved in your care, including healthcare professionals and administrative personnel.
Reasons for Collecting Personal Health Information
We collect personal health information to ensure accurate identification and efficient service delivery every time you interact with us. This data helps us:
- Identify Your Records Accurately: Ensure your health records are correctly matched with your identity to facilitate seamless healthcare.
- Deliver Effective Services: Provide personalized treatment plans, assessments, and services tailored to your specific needs.
- Fulfill Legal Obligations: Comply with legal requirements, such as verifying your Ontario Health Card Number (OHIP).
- Improve Service Quality: Continuously assess and enhance our services to better serve you.
- Support Research and Education: Use anonymized data for research approved by an ethics board and for educational purposes, maintaining your confidentiality.
How We Collect Your Personal Health Information
We may collect your health information directly from you or from authorized representatives, such as parents, legal guardians, or substitute decision-makers. Information may also be obtained from other sources with your consent or when required by law. This information is essential for promoting health, preventing disease, and delivering appropriate services.
Types of Information We Collect:
- Personal Information: Name, address, contact details, date of birth.
- Identification Numbers: Ontario Health Card Number, Social Insurance Number.
- Medical Data: Your medical history, treatments, and case management information.
- Support Services: Information regarding any additional support services you may receive.
Purposes for Collecting Health Information:
We collect health information to:
- Provide Comprehensive Care: Facilitate the delivery and management of healthcare services.
- Plan and Deliver Programs: Develop and implement healthcare programs and services.
- Referral and Counseling: Coordinate referrals and provide necessary support.
- Promote Public Health: Enhance community health awareness and monitor public health concerns.
- Administer Healthcare Systems: Manage administrative processes in compliance with relevant laws.
- Conduct Research: Perform research and gather statistics to inform health policy and practices.
How We Use Your Personal Health Information
We use your health information to provide quality healthcare and support services, including:
- Public Health Initiatives: To improve community health programs.
- Emergency Services: To manage paramedic and emergency medical services.
- Long-Term Care: To deliver care to long-term residents.
- Senior Services: To support services designed for the elderly.
Disclosure of Your Information
Your personal health information may be shared with your consent to ensure comprehensive care across various services. Disclosure may also occur to public health programs or other Child Counselling Therapy services to manage risks or support health initiatives.
Who Can Represent You?
If you are unable to make decisions about your health information, a substitute decision-maker may act on your behalf. These individuals can include:
- Parents or Guardians: For minors or those unable to make their own decisions.
- Authorized Representatives: Individuals with your written consent.
- Estate Trustees: For handling the affairs of a deceased person.
- Legally Entitled Individuals: Those authorized under PHIPA.
Accessing Your Health Information
If you wish to access or correct your personal health information, you can:
- Submit a Written Request: Include details that help locate your records.
- Direct Your Request Appropriately: Address it to the relevant Child Counselling Therapy service.
- Expect a Response: We aim to respond within 30 days, though extensions may apply under PHIPA.
Fees for Access Requests
- Public Health, Long-Term Care, Adult Day Services: A $30 administrative fee, plus $0.25 per page beyond the first 20 pages.
- Paramedic Services: A $75 administrative fee.
- Fee Waivers: Fees may be waived in cases of financial hardship.
Health Information Custodians
For any concerns or complaints, you can contact:
- Public Health
- Long-Term Care
- Child Counselling Therapy Paramedic Services
- Senior Services Development
If you feel your privacy has been violated, you have the right to file a complaint with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
Educational Resources
We encourage you to stay informed about your rights under PHIPA. The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario offers helpful resources, including educational videos with real-life scenarios to illustrate the Act’s applications.
New Addition: Protecting Digital Data
As we expand our digital services, we are committed to maintaining robust cybersecurity measures to protect your online information. This includes secure data transmission protocols, encrypted storage systems, and regular security audits to prevent unauthorized access or breaches.
By interacting with our digital platforms, you agree to these security practices. Should you have any concerns about digital privacy, please contact us.