Privacy and Information Practices
This page provides general information about privacy practices for this website and for personal health information handled by the orthopaedic practice of Greg Jaroszynski MD, FRCSC in Ontario.
Overview
In Ontario, personal health information is protected under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA). The practice is a health information custodian for personal health information collected, used, or disclosed in the course of providing health care.
Website Information
This website is primarily a static educational website. It does not ask patients to enter medical information into an online form and it does not intentionally collect personal health information through the website.
Like most websites, the hosting provider may automatically create technical server logs, such as the date and time of a visit, pages requested, browser type, device information, and IP address. This technical information is used for website operation, security, troubleshooting, and basic administration.
Website Analytics
This website uses Google Analytics to understand general website traffic, such as which pages are visited, how visitors arrive at the site, and the type of device or browser used. Analytics information is used to improve the educational content and usability of the website.
The website does not use Google Analytics to intentionally collect personal health information. Please do not enter or send personal health information through website links, email, or other electronic communication unless specifically instructed. Google may process analytics information according to its own privacy practices. More information is available in Google's Privacy Policy.
Personal Health Information
Personal health information may be collected when you are referred, assessed, treated, followed after surgery, or otherwise receive health care through the practice. This may include referral information, contact details, health history, medication information, imaging and test results, consultation notes, operative reports, hospital records, and correspondence with other health care providers.
Use and Disclosure
Personal health information is used and disclosed only as permitted or required by law, including for purposes such as providing care, arranging referrals and investigations, communicating with other health care providers involved in your care, hospital and surgical administration, billing and health system requirements, quality and safety activities, and meeting legal or regulatory obligations.
Within the health care system, information may be shared with other members of your circle of care when reasonably necessary to provide health care, unless you instruct otherwise and the law permits that restriction. Some disclosures may be required or permitted by law without consent.
Email and Electronic Communication
Email is not a secure way to send personal health information. Please do not send medical details, photographs, forms, imaging reports, access codes, health card numbers, or other sensitive personal information by email unless specifically instructed and appropriate consent or safeguards are in place.
If you choose to communicate by unencrypted email, you should understand that email may be intercepted, misdirected, forwarded, copied, stored on multiple devices, or accessed by others. The office may decline to discuss clinical matters by email and may ask you to communicate by telephone, in person, through hospital systems, or through another appropriate channel.
Email must not be used for emergencies, urgent post-operative concerns, medication problems, or time-sensitive appointment issues. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Safeguards
Reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are used to protect personal health information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, loss, or theft. No method of electronic communication or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Retention
Medical records are retained in accordance with applicable Ontario legal, regulatory, hospital, and professional requirements. Records are securely destroyed or deleted when they are no longer required to be retained.
Access and Correction
Patients generally have the right to request access to their own personal health information and to request correction of incomplete or inaccurate information, subject to limited exceptions under PHIPA and other applicable laws. Requests can be directed to the office or to the relevant hospital or health care institution, depending on where the record is held.
Questions or Concerns
If you have a privacy question or concern about information held by the practice, please contact the office using the information on the Contact page. Please do not include sensitive personal health information in a general email unless specifically instructed.
If your concern is not resolved, you may contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario.
Related Page
Please also review the Disclaimer for information about medical advice limits, emergencies, external links, and website terms of use.