IPC resolution 177 is a companion resolution to IPC Determination 176. Each selections centre across the shared data of two hospitals who supplied care to a affected person previous to his loss of life by suicide. See the take-aways from Determination 166 right here.
The affected person’s father filed a grievance with the IPC after reviewing an audit of his son’s hospital data. The audit confirmed that the data had been accessed by hospital personnel for high quality of care functions, threat administration and affected person relations functions, all of that are permitted beneath PHIPA.
The IPC dismissed the grievance, however inspired the hospital to amend its coverage to require all of its brokers (no matter whether or not they’re care suppliers or in any other case) to doc when data are accessed for high quality assurance functions.
Takeaways: High quality of care and threat administration actions are permitted by PHIPA – suppliers mustn’t draw back from these actions if they’re applicable within the circumstances. Nevertheless, that is the primary time that the IPC has inspired documentation of those actions within the file. Though administratively extra burdensome, this documentation will present readability throughout auditing and (fingers crossed) result in fewer complaints and elevated belief between sufferers and suppliers.
