Privacy Policy

Your Privacy Is Protected

Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa is committed to protecting your privacy. The personal and health information you share with us is essential for providing you with the best possible care and services. Our privacy program regulates how we collect use, share, disclose, retain, and protect your personal health information. 

Collecting Personal Health Information

We collect personal and health information about you directly from you or from person acting on your behalf. That information may include your photograph (for identification purposes), name, date of birth, address, contact information (e.g., email address), health history, records of your visits and the care you received at Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa. 

Uses and Disclosures of Personal Health Information

Under Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act, health information custodians are allowed to use and disclose personal health information for the purpose of providing health care. Therefore, to provide seamless care across health providers, any other health care provider partner outside of Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa that is involved in your care may access your personal health information. We only use, share, and disclose personal health information in compliance with our legal obligations:

•    To provide health care
•    To obtain payment for the treatment and care provided (e.g., from OHIP)
•    To plan, administer, and manage the operations of Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa
•    To monitor and evaluation the quality of care and services we provide (e.g., conduct risk management           activities and patient experience surveys)
•    To conduct research
•    To compile statistics
•    To facilitate the learning of clinical skills by medication trainees, staff and students in clinical placements
•    To comply with legal and regulatory requirements
•    To fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law
•    To maintain shared regional and provincial electronic health record programs

Your Privacy Rights

We recognize your right of access to your health information and will respect your right to withdraw your consent to use your information for purposes not mandated by law or regulations. 

For more information contact :

Privacy and Access to Information Officer

Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa

75 Bruyère St, suite 127Y

Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5C7

Email : vdemers@bruyere.org

Telephone: 613-562-9777

You have the right to file a complaint to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario if you believe we have violated your privacy rights by contacting :

Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400

Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8

Email : info@ipc.on.ca

Telephone: 416-326-3333 Toll Free : 1-800-387-0073

Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

Information for Patients for Virtual Care

Our clinic offers virtual care to make sure that we can continue to care for our patients safely and effectively. This means that we will be using video and audio technologies for some patient visits rather than asking all patients to come into our office. Some of these technologies are provided by the Province. Others have been provided by vendors like Google, or Apple to help make discussions with your care provider as easy as possible during these difficult times. Some health concerns can be addressed with virtual care alone, but in some cases your doctor may ask you to visit a hospital or other health care facility if necessary, for a physical examination.

We do our best to make sure that any information you give to us during virtual care visits is private and secure, but no video or audio tools are ever completely secure. There is an increased security risk that your health information may be intercepted or disclosed to third parties when using video or audio communications tools. To help us keep your information safe and secure, you can:

• Understand that this method of communication is not secure in the same way as a private appointment in an exam room

• Use a private computer/device (i.e., not an employer’s or third party’s computer/device) and a secure internet connection. For example, using a personal computer or tablet is more secure than at a library, and your access to the Internet on your home network will generally be more secure than an open guest Wi-Fi connection

You should also understand that virtual care is not a substitute for in-person communication or clinical examinations, where appropriate, or for attending the Emergency Department when needed (including for any urgent care that may be required).

By providing your information, you agree to let us collect, use, or disclose your personal health information through video or audio communications (while following applicable privacy laws) in order to provide you with care. In particular, the following means of electronic communication may be used (identify all that apply):
- videoconferencing (including Skype, Facetime, Zoom, etc.)

ConnectingOntario

The ConnectingOntario ClinicalViewer is a secure, provincial electronic health record (EHR) system that allows Ontario clinicians, and authorized members of their health care teams, to access their patients’ personal health information (e.g. lab results, diagnostic imaging reports, discharge summaries, details of a prior visit to the emergency or other department). Access to the viewer is restricted to those who provide or assist with patient care. The program is funded and overseen by eHealth Ontario. For more information visit the ConnectingOntario website.

Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa is a contributing organization and will provide its health care providers with access to the provincial EHR portal through the ConnectingOntario Clinical Viewer. This is done to improve the patient experience and ensure that hospital patients receive the care that we would want for our loved ones.

Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa, along with all other organizations participating in the ConnectingOntario program, must follow all applicable health information privacy laws (including the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004) as well as the EHR privacy policies and procedures.

Consent Directives

You have the right to block access to your personal health record in the viewer by placing a consent directive (often referred to as a lock-box). It is best to discuss the implications of placing a consent directive with a member of your treatment team. Please note that a consent directive may be overridden with your express consent, or in other circumstances permitted by law. For more information, please contact our Privacy Officer at 613-562-9777 or vdemers@bruyere.org . Alternatively, you may forward your request to eHealth Ontario directly by filling out the Consent Directive Request Form.

Access and Correction

You have the right to request copies of your health records contained in the viewer or request that your record be corrected if you believe it contains an error. Please contact our Privacy Officer if your request relates to information about a previous visit to Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa. For all other access or correction requests in the EHR, please refer to the eHealth Ontario website to fill out the Request for Access and Correction Form.

Inquiries and Complaints

For privacy-related inquiries and complaints about Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa’s participation in the ConnectingOntario program, please contact our Privacy Officer at 613-562-9777 or vdemers@bruyere.org. For all other inquiries and complaints about the EHR program or the viewer, please refer to the eHealth Ontario website.