Privacy and Confidentiality

Privacy

Personal Health Information

When you receive services from Gerstein Crisis Centre, the information you give us becomes part of your Gerstein Crisis Centre record (file). We use this information within the organization to provide you with the best service possible. A client’s instruction cannot prevent us from recording information that is required by law, professional standards, or our practice. This information is part of your personal health record and belongs to you. It will not be shared outside of Gerstein Crisis Centre without your consent.

Confidentiality

Gerstein Centre recognizes the need to ensure all reasonable privacy and safety to those it serves. It also recognizes that credible service is based on trust, respect, sensitivity and a high code of ethical practice. Ensuring the confidentiality of privileged information is an important component of responsible and professional service delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What personal health information do we collect at Gerstein Crisis Centre?

We collect your personal health information directly from you or from the person acting on your behalf. The information we collect may include, for example, your name, date of birth, address, health history, a record of your visits to Gerstein Crisis Centre, and any support you received during those visits. Occasionally, with your consent or if the law requires us to, we collect personal health information about you from other sources.

How do we share your personal health information?

We can assure you that only Gerstein staff who need your personal health information for direct care or administrative purposes are authorized to access your record of personal health information. We protect your information through our administrative policies and by adopting appropriate safeguards and security measures. We may use your personal health information internally to:

• Plan, administer and manage our internal operations, and conduct risk-management activities
• Conduct quality improvement research (such as client satisfaction surveys)
• Teach, conduct research (only under strict rules overseen by a research ethics board), and compile statistics

How do we share your personal health information with others?

With your consent, we may use or disclose your personal health information to;

• Communicate with your various health care provider(s) including your family physician and/or other health care institutions for continuity of care, in order to treat/support and care for you
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Fulfill other purposes permitted or required by law

What you can do to view, correct, or amend your personal health record at the Gerstein Crisis Centre