The protection and privacy of a person’s health information is something that should and must be guaranteed for every Albertan.
Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons including human error, the security of such health data can sometimes be compromised.
New provincial rules coming into effect this summer will ensure that if a person’s health information is compromised, notification of the patient involved will now be required.
For her part, information and privacy commissioner Jill Clayton says the change will help protect residents.
“I’m pleased that individuals affected by a health information breach will now have the right to be notified, which will bring Alberta in line with a majority of Canadian provinces and territories,” said Clayton.
“Health information is among the most sensitive of personal details anyone can share. When health information is breached, it’s important that people know so that they can take steps to protect themselves from potential harm.”
Coming into effect on Aug. 31, the new mandatory breach reporting requirements are set out in recently approved amendments to the Health Information Act (HIA).
Specifically, the changes require the custodians of health information to notify an individual affected by a privacy breach if there is a risk of harm to the individual, notify the information and privacy commissioner of a privacy breach when there is a risk of harm to an individual, and notify the minister of health of a privacy breach when there is a risk of harm to an individual.
Health custodians include Alberta Health, Alberta Health Services, Covenant Health and health professionals regulated under the HIA, such as physicians, pharmacists, dentists and optometrists.
The changes also include new penalty provisions for failing to “take reasonable steps to maintain safeguards to protect health information, which includes administrative, technical and physical safeguards.”
Fines for violations can go as high as $50,000.
Every Albertan has the right to expect his or her health-care information will be protected and kept private. As such, these changes are welcome.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor
