Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) patient registration staff ensure that when patients come to the hospital for services/care, that patient identification information is gathered. Collecting information allows for the correct identification of patients, which is one of the many activities that support patient safety.

 

Thousands of patients are treated at the hospital every month, so collecting the necessary identification information ensures that the correct information is linked with the right patient.   

 

Your patient information is collected, created, retrieved, secured, retained and released according to applicable legislation.  All information is used for specific reasons which support patient care. The hospital follows policies to support protecting your privacy and the privacy of your information.

 

 

Collection of Personal Health Information

The personal information that we collect may include, for example, your name, date of birth, address, health history, records of care you have received at OSMH and other care providers. Occasionally, we collect personal health information about you from other sources if we have obtained your consent to do so or if the law permits.

 

Uses and Disclosures of Personal Health Information

We use and disclose your personal health information to:

• Treat and care for you
• Get payment for your treatment and care (OHIP, WSIB, your private insurer or others)
• Plan, administer and manager our internal operations
• Conduct risk management activities
• Conduct quality improvement activities (such as sending patient satisfaction surveys)
• Teach, conduct research, compile statistics
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law

 

Your Choices

You may access and correct your personal health records, or withdraw your consent for some of the above uses and disclosures by contacting us (subject to legal exceptions).

 

Important Information

• We take steps to protect your personal health information from theft, loss and unauthorized access, copying, modification, use, disclosure and disposal.
• We conduct audits and complete investigations to monitor and manager our privacy compliance.
• We take steps to ensure that everyone who performs services for us protects your privacy and only uses your personal health information for the purposes you have consented to.

Your Rights

You have the right to complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, Ann Cavoukian, Ph.D., if you think we have violated your rights. The Commissioner can be reached at:

 

Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario

2 Bloor St. East, Toronto, ON

M4W 1A8

Tel: (416) 326-3333

Tol: 1-800-387-0073

Fax: (416) 325-9195 

www.ipc.on.ca

 

 

Requesting Copies of Patient Records

Healthcare professionals involved in your care will have access to your patient records. Anyone else, unless governed by the law, will require the patient’s or patient’s legal representative’s consent. 

 

Key information about your hospital stay will also be communicated to your family physician to support the care that your physician will provide to you. If you do not have a family physician, you can request a copy of your patient record.