Privacy Policy
Collection of Personal Health Information
In accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), Humber River Health collects personal and health information only for lawfully authorized purposes. The collection and use is limited to that necessary to provide care, to assist in the provision of care and to properly carry out related administrative and reporting obligations. Individuals are never deceived or coerced in order to obtain consent for collection, use or disclosure of their information.
Use and Disclosure of Personal Health Information
Your information is used by the health care team to provide health care and as permitted or required under this or another Act. The health care team is composed of primary care, attending and consulting physicians, residents, nurses, technicians, spiritual care and support staff who are directly involved in your care or treatment or assisting in the provision of care. The health care team uses and shares information with other team members and hospital staff on a “need to know” basis.
Personal health information is disclosed as necessary for the purpose for which it is collected, with consent, and as required or permitted by law. This includes disclosure (all external disclosures are done securely and could include de-identification if required) to your care providers to ensure continuity and coordination of care.
Humber River Health is a member of several health information networks, such as The North Western Toronto Ontario Health Team (NWT OHT). These networks permit care providers, with patient consent, to securely share electronic patient health information for the purpose of providing timely and coordinated patient care.
As a recent patient, you, a parent or guardian may be contacted to make a donation to the hospital. Only names and addresses are used for fundraising purposes. No health information is used. Your donation to the Humber River Health Foundation helps ensure continued provision of the best possible health care by funding patient care programs, equipment, research and education.
You may have your name removed from the fundraising mailing list by contacting the Foundation at 416-242-1000 ext. 81500 or foundation@hrh.ca. The care you receive will not be affected if you decide not to contribute.
Withdrawal of Consent
Individuals are informed that they may identify certain health information and withdraw consent. Potential health implications are explained if consent is withdrawn. Humber River Health respects an individual’s withdrawal of consent directive unless this or another Act permits or requires otherwise.
Personal health information is collected and recorded where required by law or established standards of professional and hospital practice. For example, we are required to report communicable diseases and gunshot wounds. An individual’s withdrawal of consent will not apply in these circumstances or where disclosure is necessary to reduce or eliminate a significant risk of harm to an individual or group.
Requesting a Lockbox
Individuals have the choice to withhold or withdraw their consent to the collection, use or disclosure of their personal health information for a particular purpose, including for the provision of health care. Under PHIPA, individuals may provide express directive to health information custodians not to use or disclose their personal health information for health care purposes without consent as set out in sections 37(1) (a), 38(1)(a) and 50(1)(e) of PHIPA. The term ‘lockbox’ is not defined in this legislation, however, it serves as an appropriate label for the patient’s ability to withdraw or withhold consent for the use or disclosure of their personal health information for health care purposes.
Please note that requesting a lockbox only applies to your medical record at Humber River Health. Our Hospital is required to disclose personal health information to several authorized registries, such as ConnectingOntario, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO), Critical Care Information System (CCIS), Ontario Laboratories Information System (OLIS), Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Repository Services (HDIRS), Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) etc. If you would like to request a lockbox be placed on these registries, please visit: https://ehealthontario.on.ca/en/privacy/managing-access-to-your-ehr
If you would like to proceed with requesting a lockbox on your medical record at Humber River Health, the Lock Box Request Form must be completed and submitted to:
Humber River Health
Health Information Services – Privacy Office
1235 Wilson Avenue
Toronto, ON M3M 0B2
Fax: 416-242-1085
E-mail: privacy@hrh.ca
Challenging Compliance
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about Humber River Health’s compliance with your rights under PHIPA, please contact our Privacy Office at 416-242-1000 ext. 82303, email privacy@hrh.ca, or write to:
Humber River Health
Health Information Services – Privacy Office
1235 Wilson Avenue
Toronto, ON M3M 0B2
A complaint may also be made to the Information & Privacy Commissioner (IPC) of Ontario. The Commissioner can be contacted at:
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, ON M4W 1A8
Phone: 416-326-3333
Fax: 416-325-9195