As the first month for hospitals and health networks to comply with Ontario’s Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) comes to an end, there have been many publications from various outlets regarding the release of information and how health organizations are complying. It isn’t a surprise to know that regardless of size, each hospital is facing scrutiny of their process for responding to FIPPA requests. But of the upmost importance is the need to know there is a system in place at each health organization to comply in order to satisfy the annual reporting requirement by the Information & Privacy Commissioner (IPC) of Ontario.
My name is Stephanie Juarez and I have been the Account Manager and point of contact for AINS’ FIPPA-related customers ranging from small and large hospitals and health networks to colleges and universities. We have aided our newest customers in various ways, from helping them establish a sophisticated FIPPA office, to providing innovative features such as the implementation of our web portal, Public Access Link (PAL). PAL is our citizen-centered solution via which requesters can submit their request and application fee, track the status of their request, receive their responsive documents and access a public reading room which contains information that the health organization has disclosed to the general public.
As the AINS Account Manager for Ontario, I closely monitor Ontario Health Association (OHA) and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) to expand our knowledge so that all updates and new legislation can be translated into ATIPXpress. AINS welcomes any questions regarding our solution for FIPPA compliance, be they general or specific to an organization’s existing FIPPA office. I look forward the success of Ontario’s FIPPA offices in 2012.
Stay tuned for updates on FIPPA implementation! New ATIPXpress for FIPPA customers include:
- Guelph General Hospital
- Kingston General Hospital
- Perth Smith Falls District Hospital
