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Does a Dentist Need a PIA?

Posted on May 22, 2018 by Jean Eaton in Blog
Have you ever said…

“If only I had someone to ask!”

Each month, we discuss your questions about practice management, human resources issues, clinic management best practices, procedures, resources, practical privacy tips, and more in Practice Management Success membership.

 

In this Q&A, we're talking about: Does a Dentist Need a PIA?

If you are a member of Practice Management Success, login and join me now on the webinar. The replay will be available in your membership area.

I’ve had a dental practice for 10 years. Do I need a PIA?

 

In Alberta, the Health Information Act (HIA) was proclaimed in 2001.

Dentists and dental hygienists were named as a designated health professional under the HIA in March 2011.

A custodian as defined by the HIA is defined

1) as a member of a Regulated Health Profession

2) the Health Profession is named in the HIA as a custodian

3) the individual is acting as a custodian

There is a ‘grandfathering’ period when custodians who were already in practice at the time are not required to submit a privacy impact assessment (PIA). The dental practice, of course, must meet all of their dental college requirements including appropriate privacy and security policies, procedures, and reasonable safeguards to protect the privacy, confidentiality, and security of personal health information.

If  (when) you have had any changes to your practice, you need to complete a PIA. For example, since 2011, have you had any changes to:

  • administrative practice, for example, changes to billing practices, third party contractors, moving to a new location, etc.
  • information system, for example, computer network changes, remote backup, or practice management or EMR software
  • practices relating to the collection, use, disclosure of personal (health) information
  • new or changes to your current information flow (for example new projects, stakeholders, Netcare)
  • legislation (i.e. research)
  • any new risks to the privacy of health information
  • custodians, for example custodians (including dentists and dental hygienists) leaving or joining your practice

The PIA is a process that assists custodians to review the impact that an implementation of a new administrative practice, information system, or change to existing practices or systems relating to the collection, use and disclosure of individually identifying health information, may have on individual privacy.

A PIA describes the information flows in the project, identifies the legal authorities that allow for the flow of information, assesses potential impacts on and risks to privacy and identifies mitigation strategies to minimize the risks.

The process is designed to ensure that the custodian evaluates the new practice or proposed change to ensure technical compliance with the HIA as well as assessing the broader privacy implications for individuals.

Often, the Privacy Officer of the dental practice completes the Privacy Impact Assessment.  However, the custodian or CEO is responsible for the Privacy Impact Assessment.

Privacy principles and legal authority determine compliance obligations.

If you don't have a PIA already for your dental practice, and you were in practice prior to 2011, you probably will need a PIA soon. If you opened your practice after 2011, or are just planning your practice now, you need a PIA.

For more information about PIA's, pop over to our resource page here:

Tell me more about PIA's

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dental, dental hygienist, dentist, healthcare, PIA, Privacy Impact Assessment

Recruit Admin and Support Staff for Your Healthcare Practice

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Jean Eaton in Blog, Clinic Manager / Privacy Officer, New Practice

Information Managers can assist your healthcare practice in Alberta to recruit administrative and support staff. Recruiting is one of our Virtual Clinic Manager Services.

 


 

Dental Associate

Work where you can contribute to bettering the dental health of a community. Consider the rural but vibrant community served by Edson Family Dentistry.

Edson is ideally located between Edmonton and Jasper. A full-time (4-5 days/week) proficient oriented dentist is required. Work in a bright new clinic with digital X-rays including a well-established patient base, without having to work weekends or evenings. 

See http://www.edsonfamilydentistry.com/.

What you want to do now:

Send your resume in confidence to Edson Family Dentistry.

Share this posting with a friend!

Use the social share links at the bottom of this page.

Dental Hygienist

Well established, growing family dental practice is seeking for an energetic Registered Dental Hygienist to join our enthusiastic dental team.

• Full time (4 – 5 days a week)
• No weekends or evenings; office hours are Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 4:30 am
• Candidates must be friendly, hardworking and possess exceptional clinical skills.
• Hourly wage is dependent on experience.

See http://www.edsonfamilydentistry.com/.

What you want to do now:

Send your resume in confidence to Edson Family Dentistry.

Share this posting with a friend!

Use the social share links at the bottom of this page.

What is the Virtual Clinic Manager?

We are not an employment agency – we can help you recruit to fill your vacancies in your healthcare practice.

This might include:

  • Create customized job description, job posting, on-line application form.
  • Distribute advertising for the opening to multiple locations.
  • Receive application forms and create and maintain a database of applicants. This will help to quickly review incoming applications and follow-up with candidates. The applications will come directly to Information Managers. The client will receive the information from all candidates.
  • Screen candidates by telephone. When I identify a candidate(s) that meets your requirements, I will contact the client. You can decide at that time if you want me to do the first in-person interview with the candidate or if you want me to do the first in-person interview.
  • After the interview, I can assist you with the reference checking and follow-up with the candidate. This may include a thank you notice to the candidates selected for a telephone interview and draft letter of offer to the successful candidate.
Show Me More About VCM Services

Contact Jean to discuss if our Virtual Clinic Manager Service is for you. Email

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