Clinic Policies
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The Beaufort Family Health Society dba Cumberland Village Health Care (“the Society”) takes the safety and wellbeing of our employees and healthcare providers very seriously.
Our staff will treat all individuals with courtesy and respect and be helpful to the best of our ability. In return, patients, visitors and any other individuals interacting with employees and providers in person, by telephone, video, and/or email are expected to be courteous and respectful at all times.
We understand that accessing and navigating healthcare can be frustrating at times, but any abusive behaviours toward employees, healthcare providers or patients will not be tolerated.
Abusive behaviours include:
-Swearing or yelling at staff, providers or patients
-Name-calling
-Verbal or physical intimidation or aggression
-Physical violence, including throwing or imitation of throwing an object at someone
-Spitting at staff, providers or patients
-Uttering threats
-Any other behaviour prohibited by the BC Human Rights Code
Anyone engaging in abusive behaviour will be asked to leave the premises immediately. If the behaviour occurs on the telephone or during a virtual video appointment, the individual will be informed that their behaviour is not tolerated and the call/ video will be terminated without further warning, unless the behaviour immediately stops.
All incidents of abuse will be reported by staff to the Clinic Manager immediately, and the incident will be documented and dealt with promptly. Depending on the severity of the incident, consequences may also include termination of the provider-patient relationship in accordance with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC and/ or the BC College of Nurses and Midwives practice standards.
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We take the privacy of your personal information very seriously. Here are details about the provincial law that protects your personal information.
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) came into force in 1993 to provide a framework for information and privacy rights by governing public bodies’ management of personal and/ or business information held in records within their custody or control.
We collect the following personal information:
-Identification and contact information (name, address, date of birth, emergency contact, etc.)
-Billing/ insurance information (Care Card number etc.)
-Health information (symptoms, diagnosis, medical history, test results, reports and treatment, record of allergies, prescriptions, etc.)
When and to whom do we disclose personal information?
-Implied consent for provision of care: By virtue of seeking care from us, your consent is implied (i.e., assumed) for your information to be used by this clinic to provide you with care, and to share with other providers involved in your care.
-Disclosure to other healthcare providers: relevant health information is shared with other providers involved in your care, including (but not limited to) other providers and specialists, pharmacists, lab technicians etc.
-Disclosures authorized by law: there are limited situations where we are legally required to disclose your personal information without your consent. These situations include (but are not limited to) billing provincial health plans, reporting infectious diseases and fitness to drive, or if court ordered.
-Disclosures to all other parties: your express consent is required before we will disclose your information to third parties for any purpose other than to provide you with care, unless we are authorized to do so by law. Examples of disclosures to other parties requiring your express consent include (but are not limited to) third party medical examinations, provision of charts or chart summaries to insurance companies, or enrolment in research studies and trials.
Can you withdraw consent?
You can withdraw your consent to have your information shared with other healthcare providers or other parties at any time, except where the disclosure is authorized by law. However, please discuss this with your provider first.
Patient Rights
As a patient, you have the right to request access to your medical records with us, but do not necessarily have access to everything in your file. FIPPA allows providers to hold back information in certain circumstances: for example, if it could cause harm to the patient or to others.
FIPPA requires that any individual’s request for personal health records be made in writing and allows up to 30 business days for a request to be completed. The 30 day turnaround starts from the day the request is received and accepted as complete by the clinic’s Privacy Officer. If you would like to request access to your personal health records, please ask to speak with the Privacy Officer, who will explain the process and discuss potential fees.
What if you feel your record is not accurate?
We make every effort to ensure that all of your information is recorded accurately. If an inaccuracy is identified, you can request that a note be made to reflect this on your file.
Office Safeguards
Safeguards are in place to protect the security of your information. These safeguards include a combination of physical, technological and administrative security measures that are appropriate to the sensitivity of the information. These safeguards are aimed at protecting personal information against loss or theft, as well as unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification.
How long do we keep information?
We retain patient records for the length of time required by provincial law and/ or professional regulations.
How do we dispose of information when it is no longer required?
When information is no longer required, it is destroyed in a secure manner according to set procedures that govern the storage and destruction of personal information.
Complaints process
If you believe that this office has not replied to your access request or has not handled your personal information in a reasonable manner, please address your concerns first with your primary care provider. You may also choose to make a complaint to:
BC College of Nurses and Midwives