Remember the Privacy Principles – least amount of information, on a need to know basis? This recent investigation report from the OIPC reminds us to review our practices to collect information from patients to ensure that we are meeting our best practice standards.
An investigation into a southwest Calgary Co-op pharmacy has found its practice of collecting information on the immune status of an individual when they seek administration of an injection contravenes the Health Information Act.
A patient of the pharmacy contacted the privacy commissioner in April 2012 after he was presented with a form that asked if he had a condition that affects the immune system when he went to the Co-op Shawnessy Centre Pharmacy to receive a vitamin B12 injection.
The patient feared being stigmatized due to an immune disorder that he suffered from, and felt that the amount of information being demanded was excessive. He filed a complaint after being refused treatment without providing the information.
The Health Information Act specifies that custodians must only collect the most limited amount of health information to carry out an intended purpose.
For more information, see:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Calgary+Pharmacy+found+violation+patient+privacy+rules/7346243/story.html