Act
Proposed legislative update to the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) - Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) - Enhancing Data Sharing to be included in the Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022
Regulation Number(s):
N/A
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Personal Health Information Protection Act
Summary of Decision:
The proposed amendments to the Personal Health Information and Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) came into force when the Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022, received Royal Assent on April 14, 2022.
For greater clarity, certainty and transparency in the regulation making process, further public consultations may be required prior to any regulatory changes.
For greater clarity, certainty and transparency in the regulation making process, further public consultations may be required prior to any regulatory changes.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
There are no direct costs to OHTs or Ontarians for this proposed update to PHIPA. Ontarians will be positively impacted by this update to PHIPA as they will be delivered services that better meet their needs, including integrated care.
With the authority for enhanced sharing of PHI, approved OHTs would be better able to invest in business intelligence tools, which would directly benefit businesses and vendors who provide these systems. HICs who are currently sharing their data manually would be more efficient, as these systems would more effectively produce results for the entire OHT.
The proposed amendment would reduce manual processes and promote greater efficiency in the use of taxpayer dollars. OHTs are currently entertaining complex data sharing agreements; this proposal is expected to reduce time, effort, and costs for legal services for OHT member organizations. It is also anticipated to make it easier, over time, for OHT HIC members to access more comprehensive data sets that could inform their planning and population health management.
In addition to informing the OHTs' journey to maturity, access to more comprehensive data could potentially stimulate innovations in care and care pathways, thereby improving population health with greater efficiency. This proposed amendment would provide the building blocks to build back a better healthcare system that is focused on patient outcomes and experience, and provider experience.
With the authority for enhanced sharing of PHI, approved OHTs would be better able to invest in business intelligence tools, which would directly benefit businesses and vendors who provide these systems. HICs who are currently sharing their data manually would be more efficient, as these systems would more effectively produce results for the entire OHT.
The proposed amendment would reduce manual processes and promote greater efficiency in the use of taxpayer dollars. OHTs are currently entertaining complex data sharing agreements; this proposal is expected to reduce time, effort, and costs for legal services for OHT member organizations. It is also anticipated to make it easier, over time, for OHT HIC members to access more comprehensive data sets that could inform their planning and population health management.
In addition to informing the OHTs' journey to maturity, access to more comprehensive data could potentially stimulate innovations in care and care pathways, thereby improving population health with greater efficiency. This proposed amendment would provide the building blocks to build back a better healthcare system that is focused on patient outcomes and experience, and provider experience.
Further Information:
Bill 106, Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Act, 2022
Proposal Number:
22-HLTC013
Posting Date:
March 29, 2022
Summary of Proposal:
To prepare Ontario for future pandemics and threats, the Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness Bill would put in place targeted measures to strengthen the health care system through the remainder of the pandemic and into the future.
Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) are a new model of integrated care that brings together health service providers to deliver comprehensive and coordinated care to a defined population. At maturity, it is envisioned that patients whose care needs span across different providers and settings will receive integrated, connected care provided by their local OHT.
Each OHT needs access to personal health information (PHI) to better understand their patient population. This would enable OHTs to better design and deliver care pathways and programs that meet the needs of the population they serve.
Authorizing the broader sharing of this PHI would assist OHTs in planning, implementing, and improving the overall quality of services delivered. This would also make it easier for OHTs to use more comprehensive data for performance measurement, and evaluation of their progress and patient outcomes.
This amendment would continue to reflect Health Information Custodians' (HICs), such as physicians, hospitals, and long-term care homes, obligations under PHIPA, including respecting privacy.
Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) are a new model of integrated care that brings together health service providers to deliver comprehensive and coordinated care to a defined population. At maturity, it is envisioned that patients whose care needs span across different providers and settings will receive integrated, connected care provided by their local OHT.
Each OHT needs access to personal health information (PHI) to better understand their patient population. This would enable OHTs to better design and deliver care pathways and programs that meet the needs of the population they serve.
Authorizing the broader sharing of this PHI would assist OHTs in planning, implementing, and improving the overall quality of services delivered. This would also make it easier for OHTs to use more comprehensive data for performance measurement, and evaluation of their progress and patient outcomes.
This amendment would continue to reflect Health Information Custodians' (HICs), such as physicians, hospitals, and long-term care homes, obligations under PHIPA, including respecting privacy.
Contact Address:
Information Management Strategy and Policy Branch
Digital Health Division
Ministry of Health
1075 Bay St., 13th floor
Toronto, ON M5S 2B1
Email: healthprivacy.moh@ontario.ca
Digital Health Division
Ministry of Health
1075 Bay St., 13th floor
Toronto, ON M5S 2B1
Email: healthprivacy.moh@ontario.ca
Royal Assent Date:
April 14, 2022
Decision:
Approved