The requirement for regulated members to properly collect, use, disclose, and safeguard patients’ health information is foundational to the relationship between pharmacy professionals and patients.
One responsibility of health information custodians, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, is to determine when it is appropriate and necessary to share patient health information. Recently, ACP has heard concerns from patients and other health professionals about pharmacy professionals not disclosing patient information when the information can and should be disclosed.
There are instances where it is important for the patient’s care that health information is shared, when appropriate and authorized, with other members of their healthcare team. Sharing this information can be essential to ensure continuity of care and appropriateness of treatment and to confirm mutual goals of therapy.
In some instances, the Health Information Act permits patient health information disclosure without the patient’s consent. ACP has heard complaints when this does not occur when it is appropriate and necessary. For example, when regulated members have not properly shared a patient’s health information with another healthcare provider who is responsible for providing care to a patient or the patient’s third-party insurer for the purposes of obtaining or processing pharmacy services payment (including audits). In this type of instance, the ethical principles of the professions would support the disclosure.
A recent report from the Alberta Virtual Care Coordinating Body revealed that the appropriate sharing of patient health information is an item of concern across Canada. Their report revealed that patient information is often fragmented and inaccessible to members of a patient’s care team, which can lead to health system dysfunction and preventable harm to patients.
Regulated members must ensure health information is being collected, used, and disclosed appropriately. To support this process, regulated members should review the Helping pharmacists and pharmacy technicians understand the Health Information Act resource and review, and update as needed, your pharmacy’s health information policies and procedures.
