eChart Manitoba – Know Your Health Information Rights
What is eChart Manitoba?
Some of your personal health information is available to health-care providers through an electronic health information system named eChart Manitoba (eChart).
eChart pulls together existing electronic health information already collected at different points of care, including prescriptions filled at retail pharmacies, immunizations, test results from participating labs and personal identifying information, such as your personal health identification number (PHIN), birth date and address.
Over time, eChart will provide a lifetime record of your key health history, available to health providers throughout the province.
Who can see my information in eChart?
Authorized health-care providers and support staff can search, view and print your personal health information in eChart, but they cannot enter information directly into eChart. eChart receives your updated health information from other electronic systems connected to eChart, such as your prescription information in the Drug Programs Information Network (DPIN) at Manitoba Health.
There are different levels of access based on the health-care providers’ need to know the information to perform their jobs. For example, a physician may be able to see all of your information, while reception staff may only have access to demographic information such as your name, address and PHIN.
The Personal Health Information Act (PHIA)
Your personal health information in eChart can only be collected, used and disclosed for purposes authorized under the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA). PHIA provides you with rights concerning your personal health information in eChart.
Can an individual’s rights be exercised by someone else?
You have the option to authorize another person to exercise your health information rights on your behalf, if you wish. Also, there are specific circumstances under PHIA in which you may be permitted to exercise another person’s rights; for example, if you have been appointed by the individual under the Health Care Directives Act.
You have the right to…
Know why your personal health information is collected
- When health-care providers collect personal health information from you, they must take reasonable steps to explain the purposes of the collection.
- You can ask any questions about this, including whether your health information will be available in eChart. If the person collecting your personal health information is unable to answer your questions about the collection, you will be directed to someone who can.
Ask for a copy of your personal health information in eChart
- You can request a copy of your personal health information in eChart by filling out an access request form available from eChart Manitoba or online at www.echartmanitoba.ca. Your request must be answered within 30 days.
Ask that errors be corrected
- All of your personal health information displayed in eChart originates from existing electronic systems, including laboratory systems, pharmacy systems, client registry and immunization systems. Any corrections to your information would need to be made by those originating sources and re-sent to eChart.
- To request a correction to your personal health information in eChart, you can speak to your health-care provider, or call eChart Manitoba for more information about making a written request for correction and to find out where to send your request. Your request must be answered within 30 days.
Know who has looked at your personal health information in eChart
- Each time your personal health information in eChart is viewed, this activity is recorded and can be audited. You can request a record of who has viewed your personal health information in eChart by filling out a form available from eChart Manitoba or online at www.echartmanitoba.ca. Your request will be answered within 30 days.
Have your personal health information hidden from view in eChart
- You cannot opt-out of having your personal health information in eChart, but you may ask to have it hidden from view. You can ask to hide your personal health information from view in eChart by filling out a disclosure directive form available from eChart Manitoba or online at www.echartmanitoba.ca (this does not include hiding your demographic information such as your name, address and PHIN). You can add or remove a disclosure directive at any time.
- Having a disclosure directive means that no one, including your own physician, would be able to view your personal health information in eChart. In specific circumstances, such as an emergency or when you give permission, certain health-care providers are able to override a disclosure directive and see your personal health information.
Ask for an independent review by Manitoba Ombudsman
- You may ask Manitoba Ombudsman to investigate if you are not satisfied with a decision or response you receive about any of these rights. Under PHIA, the ombudsman’s office investigates complaints about access to or privacy of personal health information.
eChart Manitoba
Contact eChart Manitoba for more information or to obtain one of the forms mentioned in this information.
Phone: 1-855-203-4528 (toll free)
Fax: 204-926-9148 (in Winnipeg)
Email: echart@sharedhealthmb.ca
Mail: eChart Manitoba, Digital Health
300-355 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B OJ6
If you have questions about your access and privacy rights or would like to make a complaint under PHIA, contact Manitoba Ombudsman.
Download a brochure with this information or contact us if you would like copies for your facility/office.
Updated March 2020