Human Resources Department - Covenant Health



The Health Information Act (HIA) sets out the rules respecting the collection, use and disclosure of health information by custodians. Covenant Health is a custodian of health information under the

HIA and our employees, volunteers, students or those providing services under a contract or agency relationship are affiliates. Affiliates are bound by the same rules in the HIA as their employer.

General Rules

▪ Safeguard the health information you hold

▪ Provide anonymous information whenever possible

▪ Disclose only what is needed to do the job, no more

▪ Provide information only to those with a need to know

Collection of Health Information

▪ Collect only what you need to provide care

▪ Collect directly from the patient/resident whenever possible

Use of Health Information

You can use health information without consent as required to perform the duties of your position but only for the following purposes:

▪ Providing health services

▪ Determining eligibility for health services

▪ Conducting formal investigations, disciplinary proceedings, practice reviews and inspections

▪ Conducting research when approved by a Research Ethics Board

▪ Providing health service provider education

▪ Complying with another piece of legislation and

▪ Managing internal operations such as planning and allocating resources, quality improvement, program evaluation and obtaining payment for services

Disclosure of Health Information

You can disclose a patient/resident’s health information with their written consent

▪ Ensure you are disclosing to the correct patient, custodian or health service provider

▪ Be reasonably sure the information is accurate

▪ Keep a log of the disclosures you make - a simple notation on a chart is acceptable

▪ You may disclose without consent to the following people:

✓ Continuing care & treatment or health service providers

✓ Health professional bodies, auditors and quality assurance committees

✓ Entities authorized to obtain information or disclosures required by other legislation, e.g. Public Health Act or Gunshot and Stab Wound Mandatory Disclosure Act

✓ Family members in certain circumstances

✓ Individuals or authorized representatives of individuals

✓ Persons acting in the best interests of an incompetent individual

✓ Police, when investigating a life threatening injury to an individual

✓ Any person, to avert or minimize imminent danger

For more information about the Health Information Act, visit the Alberta Health & Wellness website at

If you have specific questions about the HIA, talk to your supervisor or contact the Privacy office at 780-735-9189 or privacy@covenanthealth.ca.

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