Location: Main floor

Medi-Place Pharmacy is a full-service pharmacy that offers may services for you and your family including:

• Free Delivery

• Medication management consultations

• Compliance/Blister packaging

• Travel Medicine

• Minor Ailments consultations

• Diabetes Management

• Vitamins and Over the Counter products

• Home Health Care

• Pharmacogenomic gene testing 

• Women's Health

• Smoking Cessation programs

Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am-6 pm

Medi-Place Pharmacy 

Location: Second floor, Suite 203

Alpha labs is a full service laboratory providing lab tests and ECG's

Please call for an appointment:

Tel: (647) 352-3658

Fax: (647) 352-3684

Hours: 

Mon-Fri: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (lunch 1-2)

Saturday:9:00 am - 12:00 noon 

Alpha Labs 

Location: Second floor, suite 205

Dr. David Fahmy specializes in a wide variety of allergic and immunological disorders including:

• Anaphylaxis

• Asthma

• Environmental Allergies

• Food Allergies

• Hives

• Insect Allergies

By referral only

Silver Birch Allergy Clinic 

Location: Sixth floor, suite 602

College Chiropractic Clinic offers many treatment services including:

• Chiropractic treatments

• Massage therapy

• Physiotherapy

• Acupuncture

• Orthotics

College Chiropractic Clinic 

Location: Second floor, Suite 202

Please call for an appointment:

Tel: 416-929-1015

Fax: 416-929-9918 

Walking Mobility Clinic

DETAILED OFFICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Protecting Personal Information

1. Openness and transparency

1.1 We value patient privacy and act to ensure that it is protected.

1.2 This policy was written to capture our current practices and to respond to federal and provincial requirements for the protection of personal information.

1.3 This policy describes how this office collects, protects and discloses the personal information of patients and the rights of patients with respect to their personal information.

1.4 We are available to answer any patient questions regarding our privacy practices.

2. Accountability

2.1 Patient information is sensitive by nature. Employees and all others in this office who assist with or provide care (including students and locums) are required to be aware of and adhere to the protections described in this policy for the appropriate use and disclosure of personal information.

2.2 All persons in this office who have access to personal information must adhere to the following information management practices

• Office information management practices

• Access is on a need to know basis

• Access is restricted to authorized users

• Staff are aware of and understand requirements to protect personal information

• Appropriate sanctions for failure to fulfill requirements

2.3 This office employs strict privacy protections to ensure that

• We collect, use and disclose personal information only for the purposes of providing care and treatment or the administration of that care, or for other purposes expressly consented to by the patient.

• We educate and train staff on the importance of protecting personal information.

Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information

3. Collection of personal information

3.1 We collect the following personal information

Identification and Contact information including:

• name

• date of birth

• address phone and/or fax and/or email

• emergency contact information

• record of patient appointment times

Billing information including:

• Provincial/territorial health insurance plan (health card) number

Health information, including:

• medical history

• presenting symptoms

• physical examination findings

• relevant medical history of family members

• test requisitions and results (laboratory tests and x-rays)

• reports from specialists or other health providers

• diagnosis and treatment notes (including prescriptions)

• allergies

• information to be provided to third parties at the patient’s request (e.g., workers compensation, reports for legal proceedings, insurance claims, government claims)

3.2 Limits on collection

We will only collect the information that is required to provide care, administrate the care that is provided, and communicate with patients. We will not collect any other information, or allow information to be used for other purposes, without the patient’s express consent – except where authorized to do so by law. These limits on collection ensure that we do not collect unnecessary information.

4. Use of personal information

4.1 Personal information collected from patients is used by this office for the purposes of

• Identification and contact

• Emergency contact

• Provision and continuity of care

• Historical record

• Health promotion and prevention

• Referral to specialists or other treating physicians

• Requesting laboratory investigations

• Requesting diagnostic tests

• Generating prescriptions

• Referral to other health care providers

• Administrate the care that is provided

• Billing provincial health plan

• Professional requirements

• Risk or error management, i.e., medical-legal advice (CMPA)

• Quality assurance (peer review)

• Maintenance of competence

5. Disclosure of personal information

5.1 Implied consent (Disclosures to other providers)

5.1.1 Unless otherwise indicated, you can assume that patients have consented to the use of their information for the purposes of providing them with care, including sharing the information with other health providers involved in their care. By virtue of seeking care from us, the patient’s consent is implied for the provision of that care.

5.1.2 Relevant health information is shared with other providers involved in the patient’s care, including (but not limited to):

• other physicians in this practice

• other physicians in the after hours call group

• locums

• medical students and residents

• nursing or other health care students

• other physicians and specialists

• Pharmacists

• lab technicians

• practitioners at Grace Medical

5.2 Without consent (Disclosures mandated or authorized by law)

5.2.1 There are limited situations where the physician or health practitioner is legally required to disclose personal information without the patient’s consent. Examples of these situations include (but are not limited to):

• billing provincial health plans

• reporting specific diseases

• reporting abuse (child, elder, spouse, etc)

• reporting fitness (to drive, fly, etc)

• by court order (when subpoenaed in a court case)

• in regulatory investigations

• for quality assessment (peer review)

• for risk and error management, e.g., medical-legal advice

5.3 Express Consent (Disclosures to all other third parties)

5.3.1 The patient’s express consent (oral or written) is required before we will disclose personal information to third parties for any purpose other than to provide care or unless authorized to do so by law.

5.3.2 Examples of situations that involve disclosures to third parties include (but are not limited to): third party medical examinations provision of charts or chart summaries to insurance companies letters to lawyers

5.4 Withdrawal of consent

5.4.1 Patients have the option to withdraw consent to have their information shared with other health providers at any time.

5.4.2 Patients also have the option to withdraw consent to have their information shared with third parties.

5.4.3 If a patient chooses to withdraw their consent, the physician will discuss any significant consequences that might result with respect to their care and treatment (e.g., possible negative impact on the care provided).

Office Safeguards

6. Security measures

6.1 Safeguards are in place to protect the security of patient information.

6.2 These safeguards include a combination of physical, technological (for offices where computers are in use) and administrative security measures.

6.2.1 We use the following physical safeguards limited access to office authorized access only limited access to records need to know basis password protected electronic records office layout/features soundproofing and/or white noise to ensure confidentiality

6.2.2 We use the following

• technological safeguards

• protected computer access for patient health information

• passwords

• user authentication

• audit trails

• system protections

• firewall software

• virus scanning software

• redundancy systems (backups)

• regular backups

• encrypted

• offsite

6.2.3 We use the following

• administrative safeguards

• Office information management practices

• Access is on a need to know basis

• Access is restricted to authorized users

• staff are aware of and understand requirements to protect personal information

• appropriate sanctions for failure to fulfill requirements

7. Communications policy

7.1 We are sensitive to the privacy of personal information and this is reflected in how we communicate with our patients, others involved in their care and all third parties.

7.2 We protect personal information regardless of the format.

7.3 We use specific procedures to communicate personal information by 7.3.1

Telephone – no audible playback of voice messages in office

7.3.2

Fax – our fax machine is located in a secure or supervised area (restricted public access)

7.3.3

Email – firewall and virus scanning software is in place to mitigate against unauthorized modification, loss, access or disclosure

7.3.4

Post/Courier – addressed to the authorized recipient

8. Record retention

8.1 We retain patient records as required by law and professional regulations (please refer to your College guidelines).

8.2 The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) advises members to retain their medical records for at least 10 years from the date of last entry or, in the case of minors, 10 years from the time the patient would have reached the age of majority (age 18 or 19 in all jurisdictions).

9. Procedures for secure disposal/destruction of personal information

9.1 When information is no longer required, it is destroyed or retained according to set procedures that govern the storage and destruction of personal information (please refer to your College guidelines).

9.1.1 We use the following methods to destroy/dispose of paper records shredding

9.1.2 We use the following methods to destroy/dispose of electronic records

• We seek expert advice on how to dispose of electronic records and hardware. At a minimum, we ensure that all information is wiped clean where possible prior to disposal of electronic data storage devices (e.g., surplus computers, internal and external hard drives, diskettes, tapes, CD-ROMs, etc.).

• Properly disposed of computer hard drive

Patient Rights

10. Access to information

10.1 Patients have the right to access their record in a timely manner.

10.2 Access shall only be provided upon approval of the physician.

10.3 Patients can submit access requests

• verbally

• in writing

• directed to the physician

• directed to any office staff

10.4 This office follows specific procedures to respond to patient access requests

• we acknowledge receipt of request

• we respond within a timely fashion

11. Limitations on access

11.1 In extremely limited circumstances the patient may be denied access to their records, but only if providing access would create a risk to that patient or to another person.

11.1.1 For example, when the information could reasonably be expected to seriously endanger the mental or physical health or safety of the individual making the request or another person.

11.1.2 Or if the disclosure would reveal personal information about another person who has not consented to the disclosure. In this case, we will do our best to separate out this information and disclose only what is appropriate.

12. Accuracy of information

12.1 We make every effort to ensure that all patient information is recorded accurately.

12.2 If an inaccuracy is noted, the patient can request changes in their own record, and this request is documented by an annotation in the record.

12.3 No notation shall be made without the approval or authorization of the physician.

13. Privacy and Access Complaints

13.1 It is important to us that our privacy policies and practices address patient concerns and respond to patient needs.

13.2 A patient who believes that this office has not responded to their access request or handled their personal information in a reasonable manner is encouraged to address their concerns first with their doctor.

Medical Emergencies/Urgent Care

Patients with serious medical emergencies should go to the nearest emergency department. Our Clinic is not equipped to handle medical emergencies.

Documentation Requirements

At the time of booking, you are required to provide your valid Ontario Health Card information.

Laboratory Investigations

Most test results will arrive to our office 10 days after being performed. They will arrive directly to the Physician who ordered them.  Administrative and nursing staff do not have access to your file and thus will not be able to provide you with the results of your tests nor confirm if your test results have arrived. 

Referrals

Referrals to specialists are not made simply upon patient request. A physician is required to assess the patient’s medical situation and based on the findings, make an appropriate medical decision. Your physician may recommend additional tests before referring you to a specialist.

Referrals to specialists will be based on if it is medically necessary in the determination of the referring physician.

Uninsured Medical Services

Not all services are insured by OHIP. All charges for uninsured services must be settled at the point of service.

We do not provide direct billing, however appropriate information and receipts will be provided so that you may submit your claim for reimbursement from your insurance provider.

Examples of uninsured services include Medical Record Transfers, sick notes, insurance forms, government forms, employment physicals, travel health, etc. We will always inform patients in advance of such charges and offer several convenient forms of payment. Fees for uninsured services are charged per Ontario Medical Association Guidelines. 

Pet Visitors

We are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all patients, staff, volunteers, physicians, visitors and pets. Pets are prohibited from coming in the clinic. 

This policy is in place for the following purposes:

• To reduce the risk of infections, allergic reactions, and environmental hazards;

• To ensure the overall safety of patients, staff, volunteers, physicians, visitors and pets;

• To reduce the possibility of pets picking up pathogens and taking them home.

Note: Service Animals and Guide Dogs are exempt from this policy as defined below:

• Service Animals are animals that are individually trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities such as; guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling wheelchairs, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks. A service animal is not a pet.

• A Guide Dog is a dog trained as a guide for a blind person.

Procedure for Service Animals: 

1. The owner (or designate) shall: 

a. where possible, make reasonable efforts to provide the clinic with advance notice of the use of a service animal; 

b. ensure that the service animal is clearly identified/recognizable as a service animal (e.g. harness or jacket with markings of the training school, identification card); OR upon request, produce: 1. documentation (e.g. identification card, certification, jacket or harness) showing that the animal has been trained through an accredited service animal training school, or 2. a supporting letter from an approved regulated health professional (audiologist, speech-language pathologist, chiropractor, nurse, occupational therapist, optometrist, physician, physiotherapist, psychologist, psychotherapist or Registered Mental Health Therapist) confirming that the individual requires the animal for reasons relating to that individual’s disability 

c. if the animal is involved in an incident where an injury has been inflicted, the owner shall provide up-to-date immunization records for the service animal;

d. ensure that the service animal remains in the owner’s care and control at all times (i.e. service animals must be leashed;

e. where there is animal contact, hand hygiene must be performed. 

2. Staff members of the clinic shall: 

a. make all reasonable efforts to accommodate patients, visitors, employees or medical staff with a service animal; 

b. not touch, pet, speak to, feed, or provide care for the animal.  

Zero Tolerance Policy

Please be respectful to our staff. We have a zero-tolerance policy for any verbal or physical abuse (e.g. disruptive behaviour, inappropriate actions/inaction’s, inappropriate language, etc.). Immediate action will be taken if any behaviour judged to be aggressive or intimidating, infringing on the dignity or respect of a person. Be it in person, over the phone or any means of communication will result in being discharged from the clinic with no option of returning in the future. This is a professional environment, and we are here to help.