The Health Sciences Centre has had a policy on Confidentiality and the protection of patient information since 1985. Now that these matters are enforced through legislation, there is a need for information about changes and additions to corporate policies resulting from this legislation.

The Personal Health Information Act or PHIA is a Manitoba government Act which protects the privacy of an identifiable individual’s (patient’s/ client’s) personal health information.

Health Sciences Centre-Winnipeg Health Authority Confidentiality & PHIA-Related Policies provide guidelines to help staff implement the PHIA Act. Policies are instructions developed by an institution that let us know:

• what must be done 
• who is responsible to do it

Health Sciences Centre is meeting PHIA’s requirements by :

• Implementing Policies
• Providing Education
• Keeping Documentation
• Conducting Evaluation 
• Adjusting Our Practice
• Appointing a Privacy Officer

The Health Sciences Centre's Confidentiality Policies Address confidentiality about:

• 1.  Personal Health Information for Patients and Employees when they are patients
• 2.  Corporate Information about Employees and Health Sciences Centre’s Corporate Affairs