Regulation - LGIC
Proposed amendments to Regulation O. Reg. 329/04 (General) under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) to support contribution to the provincial Electronic Health Record
Regulation Number(s):
329/04
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA)
Summary of Proposal:
The provincial Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a secure lifetime record of a patient's health history that is managed by Ontario Health and used by health care providers to make clinical decisions and support integrated care.
In 2022, the PHIPA General Regulation was amended to require public hospitals to contribute certain personal health information to the EHR as requested by OH and in accordance with OH's interoperability specifications. Within the laboratories sector, owners and operators of laboratories are required to report test results into Ontario Laboratories Information System (subject to certain exceptions) under O. Reg. 45/22 (General) under the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act.
However, there remain major data gaps within the EHR from various health care sectors, resulting in incomplete records and an inconsistent experience for patients and providers looking to understand a patient's health status and treatment.
The proposed amendments to the PHIPA General Regulation would mandate data contribution to the EHR from certain priority sectors to ensure more complete patient records. More specifically, in addition to the existing requirement for operators of public hospitals, the proposed amending regulation would, if approved, require operators of accredited community pharmacies and integrated community health services centres to contribute certain personal health information to the EHR as requested by Ontario Health and in accordance with OH's interoperability specifications.
The Ministry of Health is posting a notice of the proposed amending regulation under PHIPA for public consultation in the period May 25, 2024 to July 24, 2024.
In 2022, the PHIPA General Regulation was amended to require public hospitals to contribute certain personal health information to the EHR as requested by OH and in accordance with OH's interoperability specifications. Within the laboratories sector, owners and operators of laboratories are required to report test results into Ontario Laboratories Information System (subject to certain exceptions) under O. Reg. 45/22 (General) under the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act.
However, there remain major data gaps within the EHR from various health care sectors, resulting in incomplete records and an inconsistent experience for patients and providers looking to understand a patient's health status and treatment.
The proposed amendments to the PHIPA General Regulation would mandate data contribution to the EHR from certain priority sectors to ensure more complete patient records. More specifically, in addition to the existing requirement for operators of public hospitals, the proposed amending regulation would, if approved, require operators of accredited community pharmacies and integrated community health services centres to contribute certain personal health information to the EHR as requested by Ontario Health and in accordance with OH's interoperability specifications.
The Ministry of Health is posting a notice of the proposed amending regulation under PHIPA for public consultation in the period May 25, 2024 to July 24, 2024.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
Work is currently underway analyzing possible administrative and compliance costs to businesses and professionals that may result from this regulatory proposal. To further inform this analysis we encourage you to provide your feedback.
Further Information:
Consultation Draft - EHR Contribution (Pharmacies and ICHSCs)
Proposal Number:
24-HLTC018
Posting Date:
May 24, 2024
Comments Due Date:
July 24, 2024
Contact Address:
Digital Health Program Branch
Digital and Analytics Strategy Divison
222 Jarvis Street, 7th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 0B6
Ministry of Health || Ministry of Long-Term Care
Email: digitalhealthprogrambranch@ontario.ca
Digital and Analytics Strategy Divison
222 Jarvis Street, 7th Floor
Toronto ON M7A 0B6
Ministry of Health || Ministry of Long-Term Care
Email: digitalhealthprogrambranch@ontario.ca