BE WELL Acupuncture Clinic is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of personal and personal health information in accordance with Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), the standards of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario (CTCMPAO), and other applicable legislation.
This Privacy Policy explains how personal information is collected, used, stored, disclosed, and protected.
1. PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT
We may collect personal and personal health information, including, but not limited to: Name, address, phone number, and email address. Date of birth and emergency contact information.In health history, medical conditions, medications, lifestyle information, treatment records, clinical notes, and consent forms
Appointment history and billing/payment information, Insurance information (if applicable)
Information is collected directly from you, from individuals authorized by you, or from other health-care providers with your consent.
2. PURPOSE OF COLLECTION
Your information is collected and used for the purposes of:
Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning Providing acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine services Communicating with you regarding appointments and care Coordinating care with other regulated health-care providers Billing, payment processing, and record keeping Meeting regulatory, legal, and professional obligations Quality assurance and clinic operations
3. CONSENT
Your consent is required for the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal health information, except where permitted or required by law.
Consent may be express or implied and may be withdrawn at any time, subject to legal and professional obligations.
4. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
Your personal health information may be disclosed:
To health-care providers involved in your care (with consent)
To your family physician or specialists (with consent)
As required by law, court order, or regulatory authority
To protect public safety or as otherwise permitted under PHIPA We do not sell or trade personal information.
5. STORAGE, SECURITY & SAFEGUARDS
Your records are stored securely in physical and/or electronic formats.
Safeguards include:
Locked filing systems, encrypted paperless charting for paper records
Password-protected and encrypted electronic systems
Access limited to authorized clinic personnel
Secure disposal and shredding of records when appropriate
We take reasonable steps to protect information against loss, theft, unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
6. RECORD RETENTION
Health records are retained for the minimum period required under CTCMPAO Standards of Practice and Ontario law.
Once the retention period has expired, records are securely destroyed in a manner that protects confidentiality.
7. ACCESS TO RECORDS & CORRECTIONS
You have the right to:
Request access to your personal health records Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information Requests must be made in writing.
We will respond within the timeframes required under PHIPA.
8. COMMUNICATION
With your consent, we may communicate with you via phone, email, or electronic booking systems regarding appointments, care, and clinic updates.
Please note that electronic communication carries some privacy risk.
9. WEBSITE & ONLINE BOOKING
Our website and online booking systems may collect limited technical information (such as IP address or browser type) for functionality and security purposes.
This information is not used to identify you personally.
10. PRIVACY BREACHES
In the event of a privacy breach involving your personal health information, we will notify you and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) as required by law.
11. QUESTIONS OR COMPLAINTS
If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about privacy practices, you may contact:
BE WELL Acupuncture Clinic Phone: 705-983-0511 Email: [email protected]
You also have the right to contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario if your concerns are not resolved.
12. POLICY UPDATES
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in legal or professional requirements.
By using our services, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and understand this Privacy Policy.