Client Privacy Policy

Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. respect the privacy rights of our clients and employees and are committed to protecting the personal information that we collect from you. We have adopted this Privacy Statement to guide how we collect, use and disclose the information you provide to us.

The practices that we have adopted reflect requirements set out in both federal and provincial privacy legislation that came into effect on January 1, 2004. Generally this legislation applies to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information in the course of commercial activities, including home care services.

This legislation may apply to information we currently have on record and have always collected, used and disclosed to provide our clients with our home care services. While previously you could give us permission in an informal way, such as providing us with your medical information, insurance information, prescription information, and any other pertinent information, under the new legislation we must now formally ask for your consent to collect, use and disclose your personal information, and document that consent.

PRINCIPLE # 1: ACCOUNTABILITY

Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. is accountable for all personal information in our possession or control. This includes any personal information that we must share with third parties in order to provide services to you. We have established policies and procedures aimed at maintaining the privacy of our clients. We have educated our employees about our Privacy Policy and their role in protecting your privacy. If you have questions or concerns about our privacy practices, we welcome your calls.

PRINCIPLE # 2: IDENTIFYING PURPOSES

Claire’s Home Care Service Ltd. will inform you as to why we must collect any of your personal information before the information is collected.

Treatment of Information that you provide: We may be required to contact your doctor or other health professionals to obtain information about your medical history, equipment requirements, or about medications or treatments that we need to be aware of to provide you with the care you require.

Payment: We may use and disclose your personal information in order to receive payment through an insurance carrier, i.e. we may need to disclose the services provided for you to your health or insurance plan to obtain payment.

Communication with individuals involved in your care or payment for your care: Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. will use your personal information such as home making duties, medical condition, prescriptions you need to take, or other pertinent information that is necessary to assist you in your home. Our staff will also document their visit in the communication book that is kept in your home. We may need to pass information on to a significant other who is caring for you or making decisions on your behalf.

Communication about products and services: In order to keep you up to date Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. may use your personal information to recommend possible options and alternatives; or to tell you about health related benefits or services that may be of interest to you. Also, to keep you informed on upcoming services; changes to our prices, policies, procedures, or any other changes that may occur.

PRINCIPLE # 3: CONSENT

Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. will obtain consent before or when we collect, use or disclose any personal information about you. You will always have the choice to withdraw your consent at any time.

Why do we need your consent?
Effective January 1, 2004, under Canadian privacy legislation, we must get your express consent to collect, use and disclose your personal health information. This may include information we currently have on record and have always collected, used and disclosed to provide you with quality services.

How will we ask for your consent?
When we come in to do an initial in-home assessment, or a follow up assessment, we will provide you with a description of why your personal information is required and to whom we will disclose it. You will be asked to confirm your consent and this will be documented in your file at our office. On occasion, you will be asked to update this consent to ensure that our records remain accurate.

There may be times when you want us to share relevant information with a family member, executor, doctor, or other authorized representative or, in the alternative, to specifically restrict with whom we may share the information. We will always comply with your request upon notification from you.

PRINCIPLE # 4: LIMITING COLLECTION

Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. will limit the amount and type of personal information we collect. We will collect personal information only for the purposes that we have identified or as otherwise permitted by law.

We will limit the collection of your personal information to that which is required to accomplish the purpose for which it is being collected.

PRINCIPLE # 5: LIMITING USE, DISCLOSURE, AND RENTENTION

Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. will use, retain, or disclose your personal information only for reasons for which they were collected. We will keep your personal information only as long as necessary to accomplish these purposes.

In order to provide you with quality care and in compliance with existing federal and provincial legislation, we keep a communication book at your home to document what has taken place. We also have a record of your in home assessment that we conducted when we first started our service with you; as well as any updated information we have since collected. We keep this information only as long as necessary to provide you with our services and as required by law. We will not share this information with any third parties unless you have consented the release of said information.

PRINCIPLE # 6: ACCURACY

Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. will endeavor to maintain the accuracy of the personal information in our possession or control.

In order to provide you with quality service, we must ensure that the information that we collect about you is accurate, complete and current. From time to time, you will be asked by Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. to update your information.

You are encouraged to advise us of any changes to your personal information that may be relevant to the services that we are providing for you. At any time, you can review the personal information that we have and, where necessary, you will be able to update that information to ensure that it is accurate.

PRINCIPLE # 7: SAFEGUARDS

Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. protects your personal information with safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information.

.We protect your personal information by using physically secure facilities, industry standard tools and practices, and clearly defined internal policies and procedures.

PRINCIPLE # 8: OPENNESS

Claire’s Home Care Service Ltd. will be open about the procedures used to manage your information.

This privacy policy is available and you can receive additional copies by calling our office.

PRINCIPLE # 9: INDIVIDUAL ACCESS

At your request, Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. will advise you of what personal information we have in our possession or control about you, what it is being used for, and to whom and why it is disclosed.

Each person has the right to review and obtain a copy of his or her personal information on record at our office, with limited exceptions. This information usually will include home making duties, prescription information, medical information, services that you require us to perform, as well as address and billing information. To find out what information we have about you, contact us in person or in writing. In most instances, we will respond to your request within 30 days.

PRINCIPLE # 10: CHALLENGING COMPLIANCE

You may challenge compliance with this Privacy Policy.

Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd. will respond to individual complaints and questions relating to privacy. We will investigate and attempt to resolve all complaints.

To challenge compliance with this Policy in relation to Claire’s Home Care Services Ltd., please forward your concerns to our office.

Where you believe that your concerns have not been satisfactorily addressed, you can contact the Privacy Commissioner of Canada 112 Kent Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1H3.

Otherwise, we will assume you are comfortable with our update Privacy Policy and will continue to collect, use and disclose your personal information as necessary within our Privacy Policy.

HEALTH CARE BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE