Confidentiality
Policy for Home Care Physical Therapy
Purpose
This policy outlines the measures in place to protect the confidentiality of client information in Home Care Physical Therapy, a physiotherapy service providing care to seniors in their homes.
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The privacy and security client information are of the utmost importance.
Scope
This policy applies to all client information collected, stored, and shared in the course of providing physiotherapy services, including personal, medical, and financial information.
Policy Statement
Home Care Physical Therapy is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all client information in accordance with applicable privacy laws and professional standards.
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All client information will be handled with the highest level of care and discretion.
Privacy Statement
Everyone working at Home Care Physical Therapy values the privacy of our clients. We are subject to Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and take seriously our duty to protect your health information, using all reasonable measures to safeguard information in our care.
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Our Privacy Officer, Michael Wadowski, routinely assesses risks to client information, implements safeguards, provides staff training, and regularly reviews and updates our privacy practices.
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We collect and use only the health information necessary to provide your care, and access is limited to what each team member needs to do their job.
Definitions
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Confidential Information: Any personal, medical, or financial information relating to a client that is collected, stored, or shared as part of physiotherapy services.
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Client Consent: Permission obtained from the client or their authorized representative to collect, use, or disclose their information for specified purposes.
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Health Information Act (HIA): Alberta's provincial law that governs how health information is collected, used, and disclosed by healthcare providers, and sets out clients' rights regarding their own health information.
Use of Information
Client information will only be used for purposes directly related to the delivery of physiotherapy services, such as assessment, treatment planning, and communication with healthcare providers when necessary.
Collection Notice
When you complete our Intake Form, the information you provide is used to assess your condition, plan your treatment, provide physiotherapy care, and process billing and insurance claims. This information is entered into our secure Staff App, which we use to manage client records.
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If you have questions about how your information is collected, contact our Privacy Officer, Michael Wadowski, at info@homecarephysicaltherapy.ca or (780) 919-0038.
AI-Assisted Clinical Documentation
After your treatment session, your physiotherapist may dictate a summary of your visit using Heidi, an AI-based dictation and transcription tool, which helps generate your clinical notes (SOAP notes). Heidi is not used to record or listen to your session itself; only your physiotherapist's post-session summary is processed, and no audio is ever recorded or retained. Your physiotherapist reviews and finalizes every note and remains fully responsible for your care. Your data is hosted on Canadian servers and is never used to train Heidi's AI models or shared with third parties.
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You have the right to decline the use of Heidi for your documentation at any time. Just let your physiotherapist know, and your notes will be taken manually instead. You'll also have the option to indicate your preference on your intake form.
Storage & Security
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All client information will be stored securely, whether in electronic or physical form.
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Electronic records will be protected with password encryption and secure access controls.
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Physical records, if any, will be stored in locked cabinets accessible only to authorized personnel.
Disclosure of Information
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Client information will not be disclosed to third parties without the client’s explicit consent, except when required by law or when there is a risk of harm to the client or others.
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Disclosure to other healthcare providers will be limited to information necessary for the continuity of care and will require client consent.
Client Rights
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Clients have the right to access their personal information upon request.
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Clients can request corrections to their records if they believe any information is inaccurate or incomplete.
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Clients can withdraw consent for the use or disclosure of their information, subject to legal or contractual obligations.
Retention of Records
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Client records will be retained for the duration required by applicable laws and professional regulations.
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Once the retention period expires, records will be securely destroyed to prevent unauthorized access.
Breach of Confidentiality
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Any breach of confidentiality will be taken seriously and addressed promptly.
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Clients will be informed of any breaches that may compromise their personal information.
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Corrective actions will be implemented to prevent future breaches.
Review & Updates
This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to remain compliant with legal and professional standards.
Contact Information
For questions or concerns regarding this confidentiality policy, clients can contact:
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Michael Wadowski
Home Care Physical Therapy
info@homecarephysicaltherapy.ca
(780) 919-0038
Acknowledgement
As the sole provider of Home Care Physical Therapy, I am committed to reading, understanding, and adhering to this confidentiality policy. My acknowledgment of compliance is documented.
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