HIA (Alberta)
Health Information Act (Alberta)
Alberta's health privacy law for custodians and affiliates
Alberta's HIA governs the collection, use, and disclosure of health information by health information custodians. It applies to providers within the Alberta health system including AHS, regional health authorities, physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and optometrists. The 2018 amendments added breach notification requirements and new digital health provisions.
Who must comply with HIA (Alberta)?
Health information custodians in Alberta — regulated health professionals, health authorities, facilities, pharmacies, and persons authorized under HIA to collect health information. Health tech companies acting as affiliates of custodians are also covered.
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Key obligations under HIA (Alberta)
Consent Framework
Use health information only for purposes for which it was collected, treatment purposes, or purposes permitted by HIA without consent.
Electronic Health Record Access
Custodians participating in Alberta Netcare must follow AHS/OIPC guidance on authorized access and audit logging.
Research Use
Health information research requires IPC approval or a research ethics board approval plus specific safeguards.
Breach Notification
Report breaches creating real risk of significant harm to the OIPC and affected individuals. Keep a breach register.
Affiliate Agreements
Custodians must have written HIA affiliate agreements with anyone who handles health information on their behalf.
Retention & Destruction
Health records must be retained for 10 years from last contact (2 years for minors reaching majority). Secure destruction required.
Penalties & enforcement
An Alberta physician was fined after accessing patient records of personal acquaintances without authorization (2019)
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