1. Introduction
Lakeside Recovery Port Dalhousie Inc. (“Lakeside Recovery,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), located in St. Catharines, Ontario, is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your Protected Health Information (PHI). We comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your PHI, your rights regarding your information, our legal duties, and how to contact us.
2. Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information
2.1 Permitted Uses and Disclosures
We may use and disclose your PHI for:
- Treatment: To provide, coordinate, or manage your healthcare and related services, including sharing with other healthcare providers such as physicians or hospitals if hospitalization or specialized care is needed.
- Payment: To obtain payment for services, such as submitting claims to insurance providers (with your consent).
- Healthcare Operations: For quality improvement, staff training, or to comply with legal requirements.
2.2 Disclosures Without Consent
We may disclose PHI without your consent in these situations:
- Emergencies: To ensure your safety in urgent medical situations by sharing PHI with medical professionals.
- Threats to Safety: If you pose a risk of harm to yourself or others, we may disclose PHI to appropriate authorities to prevent harm.
- Legal Requirements: To comply with laws, such as reporting to public health authorities, responding to court orders, or cooperating with law enforcement as required by PIPEDA and PHIPA.
2.3 Other Disclosures
Any use or disclosure of PHI beyond the above purposes requires your written authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time, except for uses or disclosures already made.
3. Your Rights Regarding Your Protected Health Information
You have the following rights:
- Access and Copy: Request to inspect and obtain a copy of your PHI (subject to certain exceptions). Requests must be in writing; we will respond within 30 days.
- Amendment: Request corrections if your PHI is inaccurate or incomplete. Requests may be denied with written explanation.
- Restrictions: Request limits on how we use or disclose your PHI. We will consider but are not required to agree.
- Confidential Communications: Request communication through specific channels or locations.
- Accounting of Disclosures: Request a list of certain disclosures made within the past six years.
- Complaints: File a complaint with us or with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.
To exercise these rights, submit a written request to our Privacy Officer. Reasonable fees may apply for copying or mailing records as permitted by law.
4. Our Legal Duties
Lakeside Recovery must:
- Protect the privacy and security of your PHI under PIPEDA and PHIPA.
- Provide this Privacy Policy to inform you about our privacy practices.
- Notify you promptly of any breach of your unsecured PHI.
- Follow the terms of this Privacy Policy as it stands.
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in laws or our practices. Updates will be posted at www.lakesiderecovery.ca and available at our facility.
5. Contact Information
For questions, concerns, or to exercise your privacy rights, contact our Privacy Officer:
You may also contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario:
- Address: 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1A8
- Phone: 1-800-387-0073
- Website: www.ipc.on.ca
6. Closing Statement
This Privacy Policy ensures transparency and compliance with federal and provincial privacy laws. It is available online at www.lakesiderecovery.ca and in print upon request at our facility.
