Privacy Policy
Sterling Massage takes your privacy seriously and follows the legislation governed by the Personal Health Information Act (PHIPA) in Ontario.
What is Personal Information?
Personal information is any information relating to an identifiable person.
- An individuals personal characteristics (e.g. gender, age, home address)
- Health (e.g. health conditions, health services received)
Who Has Access to your Health Information?
The collection, maintenance and use of your personal information will only be done by Sterling Massage Therapy Centre. If for any reason a third party, such as an insurance company (e.g. Manulife, Greenshield) requires your health information; only your name, date of treatment and cost of treatment will be provided. In any other case your information cannot be shared without your written permission.
When Your Consent is Not Required
In certain circumstances Sterling Massage Therapy Centre may be required to use and/ or give some of your personal information without consent in the following situations:
- To obtain payment for services. Payment may be obtained for the individual, private insurers or others
- Report to the public health authorities
- Types of abuse including a child
- Reduce risk of serious bodily harm to a person of the public
- Risk management and legal purposes
- Administration or enforcement of laws relating to Massage Therapy, governed by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
- Purpose of a legal proceeding or complying with a court order, or other legal requirement
Viewing Your Personal Information
You have the right to see what personal information Sterling Massage Therapy Centre holds about you. If you would like a copy of your personal information or need to make a correction, please make a request in writing. Sterling Massage Therapy Centre will respond to your request within 30 days.
Retention of Personal Information
As regulated by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario a RMT is required to retain client files for 10 years after last contact with someone who is over the age of 18, or 10 years after that individual has turned 18.
Security
We take the security of your information seriously. Therefore, all steps are taken to avoid a breach of information.
- Paper files are kept in a locked cabinet
- Computers and backups are password protected with 2 factor authentication
- Files are shredded or deleted when no longer required to be retained
If There is a Privacy Breach
In the event there is a privacy breach at Sterling Massage Therapy Centre, we will contact you personally and if needed the Privacy Commissioner of Ontario with details of the breach.
The following steps will be taken if applicable.
- Retrieving hard copies of personal health information
- Ensuring no copies have been made
- Change passwords or temporarily shut down system
- Conduct an internal investigation to determine the cause of the breach
- Take steps to prevent future breaches (e.g. change in policies, safeguards)
Health Information Custodian
The specific individuals that protect your health information at the Sterling Massage Therapy Centre are Ryan and Karin Sterling. If you need to contact or make a complaint, either party can be reached by:
Email massage@sterlingrmt.com or by phone 519-673-3007
If making a complaint, it must be done within one year of the matter of which you have a complaint.
Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8
Telephone: 416-326-3333
Or 1-800-387-0073
Fax: 416-325-9195
TTY: 416-325-7539
Website: www.ips.on.ca
Email Address: info@ipc.on.ca