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.

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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.

Monday, January 10, 2005

WA state hospital association calls for uniform and more relaxed interpretation of HIPAA 

The Washington State Hospital Association's Board of Trustees is asking the state's hospitals to adopt a more uniform and relaxed interpretation of HIPAA to ease information sharing with family members:

Patient privacy rules may relax: "The Washington State Hospital Association Board of Trustees passed a resolution last month asking hospitals to adopt a uniform policy allowing family members and friends to find loved ones while still maintaining federal patient privacy laws.

The association issued the recommendation after an advocacy group demanded a better system. Members were frustrated by officials at local hospitals who wouldn't disclose information about their hospitalized loved ones.

'HIPAA is a little unclear,' said Cassie Sauer, spokeswoman for Washington State Hospital Association. 'It was being implemented with great variation across the state. Family members who couldn't get information were freaked out and really mad.'

HIPAA - the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act - was passed by Congress to protect patient privacy by preventing hospitals from releasing confidential patient information. It was intended to protect patients from having their records sold to pharmaceutical companies, for example, that might specialize in treating their particular illnesses...."

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