Healthcare
Protect patient health information with rigorous Law 25 compliance.
Private clinics, pharmacies, and health technology companies handle the most sensitive personal information that exists. Law 25 applies to the private health sector with particular rigor, alongside obligations already imposed by professional orders. A single breach can have devastating consequences for patients and for the institution's reputation.
The challenges
Extreme sensitivity of health information
Health information is among the most sensitive categories recognized by Law 25. Its collection, use, and disclosure must be strictly limited to the purposes for which the patient has consented. Any unauthorized access or accidental disclosure must be immediately reported to the CAI and the individuals concerned.
Rigorous access controls
In a clinical setting, many staff members may have access to patient records. Law 25 requires that access be limited to those who need it for their work. Without a documented access control system, it is impossible to demonstrate that information is adequately protected.
Data sharing with third parties and digital platforms
Clinics and pharmacies use management software, teleconsultation platforms, and communication tools that process health information. Each vendor must be subject to a Privacy Impact Assessment and a compliant contractual agreement.
High-risk incident notification
Privacy incidents involving health information almost always present a serious risk of harm, triggering the strictest notification obligations under Law 25. Healthcare institutions must have a tested and documented incident response plan.
How Observantia helps
Health information protection policy
Observantia generates a personal information protection policy adapted to private health establishments, incorporating health-information-specific requirements and the obligations of relevant professional orders.
Observantia generates a personal information protection policy adapted to private health establishments, incorporating health-information-specific requirements and the obligations of relevant professional orders.
Access registry and authorization control
Document who has access to which health information and for what reason. The platform facilitates the implementation of a role-based access matrix and generates procedures for periodic access reviews.
Document who has access to which health information and for what reason. The platform facilitates the implementation of a role-based access matrix and generates procedures for periodic access reviews.
Privacy incident response plan
Observantia provides a structured incident response plan, including criteria for assessing serious risk of harm, notification timelines, and communication templates for the CAI and affected patients.
Observantia provides a structured incident response plan, including criteria for assessing serious risk of harm, notification timelines, and communication templates for the CAI and affected patients.
Available controls and templates
Observantia includes controls specific to the private healthcare sector: a health information protection policy, a role-based access matrix for clinical and administrative staff, incident notification templates for the CAI and patients, and a registry of digital health platform vendors. Controls are calibrated for clinics of 2 to 50 professionals.
Real-world example
A private physiotherapy clinic with 12 therapists in Montreal uses a cloud-hosted management software for patient records and billing. After an employee leaves the organization, management realizes that their software access was not revoked for three weeks. Using Observantia, the clinic implements an access management protocol, defines a role-based authorization matrix, and develops an incident response plan that will be tested annually.
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