Dialogue Volume 14 Issue 1 2018 | Page 12

FEATURE

4 THINGS TO KNOW

ABOUT THE DRAFT POLICY

1

Physicians must provide
90 days ’ notice to active patients prior to a planned practice closure .

2

Physicians must notify the
CPSO of a practice closure as well as the arrangements made for storing and accessing patient medical records .

3

Steps must be taken to minimize the impact on patients and to not impede patients ’ ability to access care . This includes assisting patients in arranging care from another health-care provider , meeting expectations around medical records , facilitating access to prescription medication , and managing any outstanding test results .

4

A sample letter of notice to patients will be provided as an appendix to the policy .

Participate in this consultation at www . cpso . on . ca

specific patients such as those in hospital or other care facilities . Physicians are advised to take reasonable steps to arrange for the ongoing care of all patients and consider providing additional assistance to complex or marginalized patients . However , it is also recognized that arranging ongoing care for patients will not be possible in many circumstances .
Two options are outlined that are available to physicians in respect to medical records upon the closure of a medical practice : that they either be transferred to another person legally authorized to hold them or be retained . The draft policy also notes the exception
contained in regulation that allows for a shortened period of retention for family medicine and primary care medical records in the case of a physician who ceases to practise medicine . The draft recognizes that , in some cases , a practice closure may be sudden , due to illness or death of the physician . In these instances , the actions articulated in this policy may be undertaken by a designate . The College recommends that physicians designate someone in advance to facilitate compliance with the policy in the event the physician is unable to do so . MD
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DIALOGUE ISSUE 1 , 2018