The Canadian Privacy Law Blog: Developments in privacy law and writings of a Canadian privacy lawyer, containing information related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (aka PIPEDA) and other Canadian and international laws.

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The author of this blog, David T.S. Fraser, is a Canadian privacy lawyer who practices with the firm of McInnes Cooper. He is the author of the Physicians' Privacy Manual. He has a national and international practice advising corporations and individuals on matters related to Canadian privacy laws.

For full contact information and a brief bio, please see David's profile.

Please note that I am only able to provide legal advice to clients. I am not able to provide free legal advice. Any unsolicited information sent to David Fraser cannot be considered to be solicitor-client privileged.

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The views expressed herein are solely the author's and should not be attributed to his employer or clients. Any postings on legal issues are provided as a public service, and do not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein or linked to. Nothing herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel.

This web site is presented for informational purposes only. These materials do not constitute legal advice and do not create a solicitor-client relationship between you and David T.S. Fraser. If you are seeking specific advice related to Canadian privacy law or PIPEDA, contact the author, David T.S. Fraser.

Thursday, October 07, 2004

Article: Electronic health records and privacy

Today's Ottawa Citizen has a long article on technology and medicine including a discussion of privacy aspects of electronic health records:

Px: IT Slowly but surely, health-oriented

Information Technology is improving the way Canadians get medical care:

"...'I actually think that Ontario is one of the furthest behind provinces in terms of the electronic health record,' says Closson. 'But the priorities are in place and things are starting to move. Ontario was one of the last provinces to develop its own privacy legislation and I think that has held us back.'
That legislation, the Health Information Protection Act, comes into effect on Nov. 1, 2004. It doesn't address specific technologies, but it does lay out the principles to which every technology must adhere. For example, it requires consent (implied or direct) from the patient for every person who sees the information. And it says that every patient has a right to access his or her own health information.
The office of the information and privacy commissioner of Ontario will be able to investigate complaints related to health information. Ken Anderson, assistant commissioner for privacy, says the office isn't opposed to new technologies, including the electronic health record. He points out that paper charts aren't always kept away from sight, and it's hard to know who has looked at them. So in many ways, digitizing records is secure networks will make them more private...."

If you find it interesting, print it out since Canada.Com expires its content very quickly.

Labels: health information, information breaches