We are committed to promoting privacy and protecting the confidentiality of the health information we hold about you.

Your Health Record

Your health record includes information relevant to your health including your date of birth, contact information, health history, family health history, details of your physical and mental health, record of your visits, the care and support you received during those visits, results from tests and procedures, and information from other health care providers. 

Confidentiality

Everyone here is bound by confidentiality.  We have to protect your information from loss or theft and make sure no one looks at it or does something with your information if they are not involved with your care or allowed as part of their job.  If there is a privacy breach, we will tell you (and we are required by law to tell you). 

Our Practices

We collect, use and disclose (meaning share) your health information to:

• Treat and care for you

• Provide appointment or preventative care reminders to you and/or send patient surveys to you

• Update you of upcoming events, activities and programs

• Coordinate your care with your other health care providers including through shared electronic health information systems such as Ontario Health Teams, Ontario Laboratory Information Systems (OLIS), Connecting Ontario, and local, regional, and provincial programs

• Deliver and evaluate our programs

• Plan, administer and manage our internal operations

• Be paid or process, monitor, verify or reimburse claims for payment

• ‍Conduct risk management and quality improvement activities

• ‍Dispose of your information

• ‍Seek your consent (or consent of a substitute decision-maker) where appropriate

• ‍Respond to or initiate proceedings

• ‍Conduct research (subject to certain rules)

• ‍Compile statistics

• ‍Allow for analysis, administration and management of the health system

• ‍Comply with legal and regulatory requirements

• ‍Fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law

• ‍Our collection, use and disclosure (sharing) of your personal health information is done in accordance with Ontario law. 

‍Your Rights

‍Accessing your information

‍With limited exceptions, you have the right to access the health information we hold about you, whether in the health record or elsewhere.  You can request a copy of your record.  If you need a copy of your health record, please contact us in writing at: Scarborough Academic Family Health Team, Suite 101, 2901 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough, ON M1P 2T3 or ask your health care provider who will explain the process.  A copy will be provided at a reasonable fee.  In rare situations, you may be denied access to some or all of your record (with any such denial being in accordance with applicable law). 

‍Keeping your information correct

‍We try to keep your record accurate and up-to-date.  Please let us know if you disagree with what is recorded, and in most cases, we will be able to make the change or otherwise we will ask you to write a statement of disagreement and we will attach that statement to your record.  ‍ ‍

Withdrawing your consent to use or share your information

You have a right to make choices and control how your health information is collected, used, and disclosed, subject to some limits. 

‍We assume that when you come to receive health care from us, you have given us your permission (your consent) to use your information, unless you tell us otherwise.  We may also collect, use, and share your health information in order to talk with other health care providers about your care unless you tell us you do not want us to do so.

‍When we require and ask for your permission, you may choose to say no.  If you say yes, you may change your mind at any time.  Once you say no, we will no longer share your information unless you say so.  Your choice to say no may be subject to some limits.

‍BUT, there are cases where we may collect, use, or share your health information without your permission, as permitted by law.  For example, we do not require your permission to use your information for billing, risk management or error management, or quality improvement purposes.  We also do not need your permission to share your health information to keep you or someone else safe or to meet reporting obligations under other laws.

‍Consent Directive – Lockbox

‍You have the right to ask that we not share some or all of your health record with one or more of our team members or ask us not to share your health record with one or more of your external health care providers (such as a specialist).  This is known as  asking for a ‘lockbox’.  If you would like to know more, please contact our Privacy Officer.      

‍For More Information Or Complaints

‍If you would like a copy of our Privacy Policy, please ask us for a copy.

‍We encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have about our privacy practices.  You can reach our Privacy Officer at: 

‍Raymond Kao

‍Scarborough Academic Family Health Team

‍Suite 101, 2901 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough, ON M1P 2T3

‍Tel: (416) 690-5180

‍Fax: (416) 439-7475

‍If, after contacting us, you feel that your concerns have not been addressed to your satisfaction, you have the right to complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.  The Commissioner can be reached at: 

‍Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

‍2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400

‍Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8

‍1-800-387-0073

‍Or visit the IPC website via www.ipc.on.ca

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