At Rise Physiotherapy and Performance Inc., our privacy policies are based on the Health Information Act (HIA) and are outlined in the following policy.
Rise Physiotherapy & Performance is committed to safeguarding the personal and health information provided to us by our clients. As designated custodians or affiliates subject to the Health Information Act (HIA), we take seriously our duties to protect health information and take all reasonable measures to safeguard the information in our custody and control or to which we have access. All health information that is collected prior to or during your physiotherapy appointment is in accordance with the HIA and other applicable laws and regulations set out via the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta and The Government of Alberta. This policy outlines the principles we follow in protecting our clients’ health and personal information. The policy also applies to any person or contractor providing services on our behalf.
We are committed to protecting the privacy of your health and personal information. We will not disclose your health information without consent or reasonable and lawful authority except when required or permitted by law under the HIA.
Our privacy commitment
At Rise Physiotherapy & Performance, we protect client privacy by:
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Collecting only the least amount of individually identifying health information required to provide physiotherapy services and manage care.
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Collecting health information under the legal authority of the Health Information Act (HIA).
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Safeguarding your health and personal information using physical, technical, and administrative measures.
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Sharing your health information only for the purposes stated, for direct billing, or as otherwise permitted or required by law.
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Ensuring any contractors, staff, or affiliates who may have access to your information also protect the privacy of your information under our Privacy Management Program.
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Training our administrative staff and clinical affiliates regularly on all privacy policies, safeguards, and awareness.
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Setting up our clinic environment to optimize patient privacy.
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Ensuring personal and health information is current, complete, and accurate.
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Providing you access to your personal and health information and a mechanism for requesting corrections via JaneApp or through our Privacy Officer.
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Periodically reviewing and assessing risks to our privacy policies to ensure they provide adequate protection for your health information.
Information collected
Notice of Collection (Health Information Act)
The health information collected through our intake forms, website, booking system, and clinical services is collected for the purpose of assessing, diagnosing, treating, and billing for physiotherapy services. This collection is authorized by sections 20(b) and 27 of the Health Information Act (HIA).
For questions about this collection, contact our Privacy Officer, Kayla Clarke, at kayla@risephysioyeg.com or 780-966-7473.
The personal and health information collected is required to provide you with physiotherapy services and facilitate payment for services rendered via direct billing
Contact information: your name, phone number, address, email address, and an emergency contact person
Health informat
ion: your PHN (Personal Health Number), health history, treatment received, names of other health-care providers, family medical history, your subjective complaints, objective findings, diagnoses, reason for discharge, and discharge plan. Financial information: your insurance benefit coverage information, credit card information, employer’s name, and other information to
facilitate payment for ser vices provided (via direct billing).
What do we use your information for?
We use contact information to open and update your patient file, invoice for services, remind you of appointments and/or the need for further treatment, and to provide informational materials about our clinic.
We use health information to assess, diagnose, provide, and evaluate physiotherapy
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All collection, access, and use of individually identifying health information is completed only by custodians and affiliates in the context of and within the limits of their job responsibilities.
With whom do we share your information?
Contact information – may be disclosed to third-party health benefit providers/insurers when reimbursement claims for all or part of the treatment cost have been submitted.
Health in
formation – may be disclosed to: Third-party health benefit providers and insurance companies when a claim is submitted for reimbursement or payment of all or part of the c
ost of treatment or we have been asked to submit a claim on your behalf. Other health-care professionals also providing you with treatment (e.g., family doctor, specialist, or referring provider).
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Your lawyer, if you were injured in an accident and have authorized us in writing to release records.
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Financial information – may be disclosed to your insurer or credit card company as required to facilitate payment.
Note: Health information can also be disclosed without your consent if we are required or authorized to do so by law under the Health Information Act.
Where do we store your information?
Personal health information is stored on our third-party service provider Jane App. One of the reasons we selected this program was for their commitment to security. Their privacy policy can be found here:
Electronic records are stored within Jane App. We do not share your personal or health information outside our office for any marketing, promotional, publicity, educational, or research purposes without your consent.
We train staff to handle your information only through the protected measures outlin
HOW WE PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
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We do not keep physical records, and any personal health information sent to us via mail is uploaded into Jane App and immediately shredded.
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We conduct telephone discussions with sensitivity (in our private office space) to ensure that your personal and health information is not inadvertently disclosed.
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We do not share your information outside our office for any marketing, promotional, publicity, educational, or research purposes without your consent.
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We train staff and affiliates to handle your information only through the protected measures outlined in our privacy procedures. Staff must comply with these requirements and may be subject to sanctions up to and including termination of employment or contract if they do not comply.
Accessing and correcting your personal information
Patients have the right to request access to or correction of their health information. You can get access to view your personal information in your JaneApp Account anytime by logging in to view, edit, or verify your contact details. You can also ask a staff member for assistance.
We will attempt to help you understand the reasons we collect, store, and use the information in your records. You may request a change to your health information if it is inaccurate, incomplete, no longer current, or if you believe there is a factual mistake.
You can also request a copy of your patient record at any period. We will provide an electronic PDF for you within three business days.
How long is information kept?
We are required by legislation to keep records containing health and personal information for 10 years from the last date of service. Or in the case of a minor, 10 years past the minor’s eighteenth birthday. After that time, we securely delete electronic records.
More Information
If you have a concern or question about how your individually identifying health information is protected, please feel free to ask the physiotherapist treating you or our administrative staff. If your question/concern is not resolved, or if you wish to access or amend your health information, please address it in writing to our Privacy Officer:
Kayla Clarke
Rise Physiotherapy & Performance Inc.
780-966-7473
kayla@risephysioyeg.com
