Today – I’m a unicorn. I have always loved Halloween. Since I was a kid I loved getting dressed up and watching the imaginations of other people bringing amazing costumes to life. Do you remember a favourite costume someone wore? Some of mine: I remember seeing a little kid a few years ago who wore… Read more »
Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner just released six new health privacy decisions at the end of last week. Want to know what they are about? You can read my updated summaries of all 56 of the IPC PHIPA Decisions. Or keep reading this blog for summaries of these six. The decisions are not listed in chronological… Read more »
What commitments have you made to your patients, team members and the public? When I work with a healthcare organization through a difficult situation (like a patient complaint or a privacy breach) I always look at their mission, vision and values. These public statements should guide all decision making through difficult times. These statements are your guide… Read more »
Last week the IPC issued two new decisions for health care organizations in Ontario. The first one has practical impact on group practices like family health teams. Group practices should proactively clarify who is the health information custodian Decision 50 – This one will interest all family health teams and other group practices. It relates to… Read more »
In February 2016, I was asked to do an exercise: What do you do for fun? I remember that day vividly because for the first time in my life I was stumped about fun. Upon reflection – I came up with a few things. Playing with the kids (who were then 3 years old and… Read more »
Does your hospital explain to your Professional Staff members the rules about taking a leave of absence? Remember: Professional Staff members may include doctors, dentists, midwives and independent contractor nurse practitioners. Since members of the Professional Staff are usually independent contractors and not employees of a hospital, they independently arrange for their colleagues to cover… Read more »
The IPC has posted their new Privacy Breach Reporting Form online. This is what health care organizations will use to alert the IPC to reportable privacy breaches as described in my previous post These requirements came into effect October 1st. Here’s a PDF version of the Privacy Breach Report Form.