Release of Patient Information in Ontario
The Personal Health Information Protection Act (2004) protects the personal health records of patients in the Canadian province of Ontario. All health officials, including doctors, dentists and pharmacists, must treat patient information confidentially and not distribute it without consent.
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Disclosing Information
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Unless permitted or required by law, no personal health official in Ontario may release patient health information to any outside person without the consent of the patient. When someone needs access to a patient's health information, he must make a written request to the health official retaining the records and also receive consent from the patient.
Exceptions
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A health official can release a patient's information without his consent only in certain situations. Some exceptional circumstances include: when a health care official cannot reasonably get consent but must provide immediate care to the patient, when required by law or by a warrant, to public health authorities, when it will reduce or eliminate risk of bodily harm, when under a court order, or when the information will go to the Children's Aid Society.
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Patient Rights
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A patient in Ontario has the right to request access to his own personal health information. He may also request corrections for incomplete or inaccurate information, or make inquiries or complaints about how health officials handle his information.
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