Health care is defined as any observation, examination, evaluation, care, service or procedure that is performed for a health-related purpose.

PHIPA requires that the Board provide written information describing the practices of the Health Information Custodian.

It is prudent to obtain written informed consent from parents/legal guardians of minors under 16 years of age.

When a person has the capacity to understand the information that is relevant to deciding whether to consent, that person is the one from whom consent is obtained.

The law makes it clear that a capable person, regardless of age, may consent to the collection, use and disclosure of his or her personal health information.

Consent is considered “informed” if the individual knows what information is collected, how it will be used, where and for how long it will be stored, under what circumstances it will be disclosed, for what period of time consent will be obtained.

Within the province of Ontario there are already individuals and organizations that receive personal health information from those authorized to collect and use it.

PHIPA establishes rules for the collection, use and disclosure of personal health information in a wide range of circumstances.

“Personal health information” means identifying information about an individual that pertains to health care

The federal government has deemed PHIPA to be “substantially similar” to PIPEDA. #PHIPA #privacy