EHR study unveiled
FEDERAL PRIVACY COMMISSIONER Jennifer Stoddart announced that her office has awarded $49,600 grant under its Contributions Program to the Universities of Alberta and Victoria for a collaborative study on the application of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) to electronic health records.
The University of Alberta Health Law Institute, the University Of Victoria School Of Information Science, and the University of Victoria Faculty of Business are partners in the initiative. “Records about an individual’s health, medical condition and treatment are clearly the most sensitive of personal information, and must be protected against inappropriate use or disclosure,” said Ms. Stoddart.
The project will analyze the use of electronic health records in primary care and medical research, with a focus on issues of security and consent.
Health information legislation in provincial jurisdictions will be examined using case examples of electronic health records at various levels. An analysis will be made of the role of PIPEDA in protecting personal health information, and gaps in privacy protection will be identified.
“Our project hopes to clarify the application of this legislative patchwork in the health sector and provide tools to address critical issues at the intersection of health care delivery, information systems, and privacy,” said Nola Ries, research associate at the Health Law Institute.
Toronto nominated for top intelligent community
TORONTO HAS BEEN NOMINATED as one of the top seven intelligent communities in the world.
The nomination, by the Intelligent Community Forum, recognizes the achievement by communities large and small in deploying broadband, building a knowledge-based workforce, bridging the digital divide, encouraging innovation and effective economic development and marketing.
“Mayor (David) Miller has been outstanding in supporting Toronto’s ascendancy into the ranks of the world’s great cities for the use of advanced technology,” said John Reid, president of the Canadian Advanced Technology Association. “To be considered as one of the seven best cities in the world is an honour – to be the only North American city to be so judged, is exemplary.”
CATA was one of the organizations responding to Mayor Miller’s campaign to stimulate Toronto’s growth in Information and Computer Technology.
Broadband communications for 30 aboriginal communities
INDUSTRY CANADA AND aboriginal partners from Ontario, Qu