The eFax workflow for Ocean eReferral is supported by the initial phase of a project currently being conducted by the eHealth Centre of Excellence referred to as the eReferral via eFax (Initial Phase). This information is prepared for those HICs sending a referral via the eFax functionality during the initial phase of the project between May and July 2022.
The eReferral via eFax (Initial Phase) allows primary care clinicians to electronically send referrals to specialists who have not yet adopted eReferral. The purpose of this project is to validate the solution’s ability to reduce fax transmission failures and facilitate a transition away from fax-based referrals to fully digital eReferrals, and in the longer term, support an “axe the fax” strategy. The eReferral via eFax (Initial Phase) is governed by the eHealth Centre of Excellenc (eCE) existing privacy policy. Strong technical and administrative safeguards are in place at both eCE and by the two vendors (IBM and Ingenium) to protect personal/personal health information (PI/PHI) as faxes traverse electronically.
As a Health Information Network Provider (HINP) under PHIPA, the eCE has undertaken the requisite privacy and security assessments for this project, including a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) and a Threat Risk Assessment (TRA). All high and medium risks related to the transfer of PHI via the eFax integration have been mitigated as an outcome of these assessments.
If you have any questions or would like more information on the privacy & security assessment associated with this project, please contact [email protected].