Privacy & confidentiality

We make protecting your privacy a priority.

The Information Access and Privacy Office (IAPO) is responsible for overseeing the information and privacy practices at Providence Health Care (PHC) to ensure we are in compliance with all applicable privacy laws, including the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), which applies to patient information managed by our organization.

Securing and ensuring the confidentiality of personal information is a responsibility that Providence Health Care takes very seriously. Everyone receiving care or a service at one of our facilities has a health record that contains documents such as reports from care providers, test results and pharmacy information. All of your records are kept strictly confidential.

When you are receiving care, treatment and services at Providence Health Care, our staff, physicians and other authorized individuals will collect, use and share your personal information to deliver health care services. They may use and share your information:

• To identify you and keep in contact with you about your health care
• To provide immediate and ongoing care
• To help improve your quality of care and services
• For research purposes, with consent or as permitted by law
• For teaching and education purposes (e.g. training doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals)
• To understand your eligibility for benefits and services and to arrange payment

Your personal information may also be disclosed to other authorized individuals as required by law (e.g. to respond to a court order) or under a specific statute (the Coroner’s Act or Adult Guardianship Act).

How your information is shared

We will share your health information with those who are providing and supporting your care. This may include your referring physician, your family physician, other authorized health care professionals and their support staff, or health care agencies and facilities that are providing care and service.

In some cases, these health professionals may access your health information in our electronic health information systems in order to provide you with direct or supporting services.

How your information is secured

We use a variety of safeguards to protect your information including encryption, passwords, and access audits.

Privacy when in hospital

If someone calls to ask about you, it is standard practice for us to confirm your admission and location. If you do not want this information to be released, let a staff member know in Patient Registration or your care area, and we will place a note on your file.

Communication via email or text

Providence Health Care (PHC) staff and physicians are committed to communicating with you about your care while protecting your privacy and personal information. Should you choose to communicate using email or text, please review this information to understand how these methods of communication are used.

Request your health record

You or your authorized representative can request access to or copies of your health record by completing the Authorization for the Release of Health Records form or by visiting our Health Records page.

Do you have any questions or concerns? Please contact:

Providence Health Care Information Access and Privacy Office (IAPO)
1081 Burrard Street 
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6