Your health information: private and secure
What is the eHR Viewer?
The electronic health record (eHR) Viewer is a secure, web-based system that allows your health care providers to see important health information about you. This may include:
- lab test results
- prescription information
- chronic disease information
- immunization history
Who can see my health information?
Only health care team members involved in your care can view your information in the eHR Viewer. This may include physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners and authorized staff who support your care.
All users must complete an approval process through eHealth Saskatchewan and are trained to protect your privacy.
If you want to know who has viewed your information, you can request an audit report through the eHealth website.
How safe and confidential is my personal health information?
eHealth is responsible for protecting your personal health information under The Health Information Protection Act (HIPA).
Strong safeguards are in place to protect your information when it's stored, accessed, or shared between systems.
Privacy safeguards include:
Accountability
Health care team members are informed of their privacy responsibilities and must agree to:
- Keep your information confidential.
- Use it only when needed to support your care.
Auditing
Every time someone views your record, it is tracked. This includes:
- Who viewed the information
- The date and time
- What information was viewed
You can request a report showing who has accessed your eHR Viewer record by completing an audit request form on our website. Reports are mailed once processed.
Masking
You can choose to mask your eHR Viewer record. When a record is masked:
- Health care team members cannot see your information.
- To view a masked record, they must select a specific reason that allows temporary access.
Full block
You can also place a full block on your eHR Viewer record. A full block means:
- No one can view your information in the eHR Viewer.
- Access is not allowed under any circumstances.
Security measures
Additional security protections include:
- Restricted access for authorized users only
- Secure computer systems and networks
- Encrypted electronic messages
Can a provider refuse care if my record is masked or fully blocked?
Yes. If a health care provider cannot safely recommend or provide treatment because they cannot see your health information, they may choose not to provide care.
- If your record is masked, you can give consent for a specific provider to view it.
- If your record is fully blocked, providers cannot access it at all.
What if I change my mind?
You can remove masking or a full block at any time. Visit our website to complete the required forms. Once processed, your record will be available to authorized health care team members.
EMR interoperability
What is interoperability and why does it matter?
Interoperability means sharing health information between your electronic medical record (EMR) and the provincial electronic health record (eHR).
This helps ensure the right information is available to the righty provider at the right time to support your care.
Benefits include:
- better informed treatments decisions
- improved co-ordination of care
- a smoother patient experience
- greater efficiency across the health system
Does masking affect information sharing?
Masking your information in one system does not automatically mask it in another.
- Masking in an EMR does not mask information in the eHR Viewer.
- If your eHR Viewer record is masked, providers must access it through the eHR Viewer and select a permitted reason to view it.
What if I don't want my information shared to the eHR Viewer?
Health care providers can choose not to send visit information to the eHR Viewer.
You can request that your provider not submit your visit information, but this request must be made for each visit.
What if I have a privacy concern or complaint?
If you have questions or concerns about your personal health information:
- Speak with your health care provider or
- Contact the eHealth Privacy Service.
If your concern is not resolved, you may contact the Saskatchewan Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, which oversees HIPA:
Contact Us
eHealth Privacy Services
1-855-EHS-LINK (347-5465)
privacyandaccess@ehealthsask.ca
www.ehealthsask.ca
