STANDARD 11.
Privacy / Confidentiality
Respiratory Therapists (RTs) must protect patient/client privacy and confidentiality, in accordance with all applicable legislative, regulatory, and employer requirements.
Performance Requirements
RTs:
Access patient/client personal information only as required for the provision of care.
Share patient/client information with other healthcare team members only when necessary for the provision of care and quality improvement activities, seeking patient/client consent when required.
When using electronic communication tools (e.g., social media, audiovisual recordings), take precautions to ensure that conversations and sharing of information via other mediums regarding patients/clients’ information, including names, addresses, and other identifying details, is not shared with those who are not directly involved in their care.
Protect against theft, loss or unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential patient/client personal information (e.g., passwords, encryption, systems for backup and storage, and processes for sharing/transferring information).
Maintain privacy and ensures confidentiality relating to patient/client personal health information except where the sharing of information is permitted by law in any of the following:
- with the informed consent of the patient/client,
- if required by law (e.g., as part of an investigation or reporting of suspected child abuse), and
- to disclose a risk of harm as enabled under applicable legislation related to personal health information protection.
Patient / Client Expected Outcome
Patients/clients can expect that RTs protect their right to privacy and confidentiality.
RELATED RESOURCES
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2022). Responsibilities under Consent Legislation. Professional Practice Guideline. Available at: https://responsibilities.crto.on.ca.
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2021). Documentation Professional Practice Guideline. Available at: https://documentation.crto.on.ca.
- Government of Ontario. (2004). Personal Health Information Protection Act. Available at: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/04p03.
- Government of Canada. (2000). The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Available at: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/p-8.6.
FOOTNOTES
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/Ethics.pdf
- Adapted from College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/Ethics.pdf