ON Chiropractic
Disclosing and Using Personal Health
Information
The disclosure of personal health
information is covered extensively by
PHIPA. In specific circumstances,
practitioners may consult PHIPA, the
CCO and its Standards of Practice, the
Office of the Privacy Commissioner, a
lawyer or a practice liability insurance
provider, such as CCPA.
In general, personal health information
should only be disclosed:
• when the patient has provided their
consent, or
• when disclosure of the information is
reasonably necessary for the provision
of health care and obtaining consent in
a timely manner is not possible, or
• for the purpose of contacting next of
kin if the patient is injured, incapacitated or ill and unable to give consent
personally.
Additional circumstances under which
personal health information may be
disclosed include:
• determining or verifying the eligibility
of the individual to receive health care
or related goods, services or benefits
(such as with an extended health
insurer, WSIB or MVA), though the
practitioner should make best effort to
obtain the patients consent,
• providing information to a person
conducting an audit or reviewing
an application for accreditation or
reviewing an accreditation when the
audit or review relates to services
provided by the health information
custodian (the practitioner is again
advised to make best efforts to obtain
the patient's consent before proceeding
with this request), and,
• disclosing to another health
information custodian who shares in
the provision of care to the patient.
PHIPA requires that the personal health
information you generate in the course