Your health information: safe and secure

Health information management systems

Personal health information is stored in a few health information systems managed by eHealth Saskatchewan

eHR Viewer

The Electronic Health Record (eHR) Viewer helps your health care providers to see important health information about you all in one place, including:

• lab test results
• prescription information
• chronic disease information
• immunization history

This gives your care team a clearer picture of  your health, so they can better understand your needs, make informed decisions, and provide save, coordinated care.

Electronic medical records

Electronic medical records (EMRs) are the digital version of the paper charts used in clinics and hospitals to support your care. They include:

• medical history
• allergies
• visit notes
• medication history

In Canada, most family doctors use EMRs to keep your information up to date and support your date.

Electronic Medical Record Interoperability

EMR interoperability securely connects EMRs with the eHR Viewer, so your health information can be shared with the care teams who need it. This connection helps:

• support more informed treatment decisions
• improve coordination between care providers
• create a smoother experience for you
• make the health system more efficient

Chronic Disease Management-Quality Improvement Program

The Chronic Disease Management-Quality Improvement Program (CDM-QIP) improves care for people living with chronic conditions including:

• diabetes
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  
• coronary heart disease
• heart failure

The program gives your care team up-to-date information and tools to help manage long-term health conditions. It helps make sure you get the care you need and that tests like lab work are only done when necessary.

Panorama

Panorama keeps track of your immunization records and helps health care providers work together more effectively to:

• manage vaccinations
• prevent the spread of infectious disease
• find possible sources of infection
• notify people who may have been exposed

This helps your care team stay coordinated and protects your health and the community.

Pharmaceutical Information Program

The Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP) helps your health care providers access your prescription information so they can make safe decisions about your care. They can:

• check your medications
• see allergies and reactions
• create prescriptions

Picture Archiving and Communication System

The Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) helps your health care providers store, view and share medical images and reports such as x-rays and scans.

Why is my personal health information collected?

Information is collected to support the care and treatment of individuals seeking health services in Saskatchewan.

Who can see my information?

Only health care team members involved in your care can view your information in these systems. This may include physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners and authorized staff who support your care.

How do we keep your information safe?

eHealth is responsible for protecting your personal health information under The Health Information Protection Act (HIPA).

Strong safeguards are in place to protect your information when it’s stored, accessed or shared between systems, including:

• All users must complete an approval process through eHealth Saskatchewan and are trained to protect your privacy.
• All users are informed of their privacy responsibilities and must agree to:
  • Keep your information confidential.
  • Use it only when needed to support your care.
• Every time someone views your record, it is tracked. This includes:
  • who viewed the information
  • the date and time
  • what information was viewed

• Additional security protections include:

  • restricted access for authorized users only
  • secure computer systems and networks
  • encrypted electronic messages

Find out more about who sees your information

You can request a report showing who has accessed your eHR Viewer, PIP or PACS record by completing an audit request form on our website.

What if I don’t want my information shared to the eHR Viewer?

Health care providers can choose not to send visit information to the eHR Viewer.You can request that your provider not submit your visit information, but this request must be made for each visit.

Hiding your information

You can choose to restrict access to your personal health information by masking or blocking:

Masking

Masking allows you to hide your personal information so it cannot be seen in: 

• Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP)
• electronic Health Record Viewer (eHR Viewer)

At any time you may give a health care provider consent to view your masked record.

• In PIP, this authorization can be time-limited or indefinite.
• In the eHR Viewer, this authorization can be for one day, one week, one month or one year.

To view a masked record, care providers must select a specific reason that allows temporary access.

Find out more about masking and how to request or remove masking.

Full block

A full block completely prevents your personal health information from being viewed in the eHR Viewer.

When a full block is in place:

• No one can view your information in the eHR Viewer.
• Access is not allowed under any circumstances.
• Information stored outside the eHR Viewer is not affected.

Find out more about a full block and how to request or remove a full block.

Can a provider refuse care if my record is masked or fully blocked?

Yes. If a health care provider cannot safely recommend or provide treatment because they cannot see your health information, they may choose not to provide care.

• If your record is masked, you can give consent to a specific provider to view it.
• If your record is full blocked, providers cannot access it at all.

A full block may affect your care. Health care providers will not be able to access information in the eHR Viewer, which may lead to delays or incomplete care. This could impact your ability to receive timely or appropriate health services.

What if I have a privacy concern or complaint?

If you have questions or concerns about your personal health information:

1. Speak with your health care provider, or
2. Contact the eHealth Privacy Service.

If your concern is not resolved, you may contact the Saskatchewan Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, which oversees HIPA:

• Phone: (306) 787-8350
• Toll free (SK): 1-877-748-2298
• Email: webmaster@oipc.sk.ca