Protecting your Health Information
We take all reasonable steps to make sure that your personal information is treated confidentially, is only used for these specific purposes and is securely stored as directed by the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA).
Collecting, using and sharing your personal information
When you receive care, treatment and services at any of our hospitals, we collect personal information from you. We may also request information about you from other health care providers and organizations. (e.g. copies of records, medications, test results).
Your information may be put into our electronic health system to assist doctors or other healthcare providers to quickly access your information wherever you receive care or services.
We collect your personal information only as authorized under section 26(c) of the BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FIPPA”). We collect, use and share your personal information for these reasons:
- to confirm your identity (e.g. Ministry of Health Services)
- to provide ongoing care and support
- to help us plan, maintain and improve our care and services
- to keep in contact with you about your health care
- for education and training (e.g. medical students)
- to do research with consent or as permitted by law
- to see if you are eligible for benefits and services and to arrange billing
- to help measure and fund healthcare (e.g. Canadian Institute of Health Information)
- to study and control disease outbreaks and monitor the overall health of people
- as required by law (e.g. court order or for some reportable conditions) and as authorized by FIPPA
Your health information will be provided to the doctor who referred you and to authorized health care providers involved in your care to ensure your care is consistent and continuous. In some cases, these health care providers may look up your information in our electronic health systems.
eHealth and Your Information
eHealth is a provincial initiative that allows certain aspects of your health information to be accessed by authorized health care professionals throughout the province and not just within a particular region. Each Health Authority sends specific health information to a province-wide electronic information system where it is stored with strict protections and used for limited and authorized purposes. For more information about eHealth, please visit the government eHealth website at http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/ehealth.
