You are using an outdated browser. We suggest you update your browser for a better experience. Click here for update.
Close this notification.
Skip to main content Skip to search

COVID-19: Get the latest updates or take a self-assessment.

PET E-tool Privacy for Patients

The information here is meant for patients receiving PET scan services through PET Scans Ontario, a program of CCO.

 

If you receive PET scan services in Ontario, your physician may use an electronic tool – the PET E-tool – to request those services. Ontario PET centres, where the PET scans are done, also use the tool to submit the results from PET scans done at their facilities.

 

We know your privacy is important to you. Here you can learn about:

  • CCO’s privacy roles and responsibilities relating to PET Scans Ontario
  • how we meet these responsibilities
  • services and safeguards we have put in place related to the PET Scans Ontario program
  • who to contact if you have questions or concerns

The PET E-tool

This electronic referral tool lets referring doctors and PET centres share information. Your doctor can send a PET scan request electronically to a PET centre to book an appointment. After a PET scan is completed, the PET centre puts the results into the PET E-tool, where the doctor can get them.

CCO’s role

CCO provides the PET E-tool to referring doctors and PET centres so they can disclose PET scan information to one another. We do this in our capacity as a “health information network provider” under the Ontario Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA).

Doctors and PET centres also use the PET E-tool to disclose PET scan information to CCO. We use this information to plan, manage and improve PET scan services in the province. We are allowed to collect and use this information under our authority as a “prescribed entity” under PHIPA.

Information Collected Through the PET E-tool

To refer you for a PET scan, your doctor will need to send your personal health information to a PET centre. One way they can do this securely is through the PET E-tool.

This information may include your name, health card number, diagnosis, medical history and the selected PET centre for your PET scan. The PET centre needs your personal health information to book and complete your PET scan.

CCO also collects the information referring doctors and PET centres enter into the PET E-tool. We do it to plan, manage, and improve PET scan services in the province.

Get Access to Your Personal Health Information in the PET E-tool

You can ask your healthcare provider for a copy of the personal health information held about you in the PET E-tool.

Who can Access Your Personal Health Information

The following groups of people can access your personal health information from the PET E-tool through a secure website.

Referring doctors and PET centres

Healthcare providers have access to enter or view their patient information in the PET E-tool. Their access must be authorized by a Registration Authority who verifies the user’s identity and confirms that they need access to the PET E-tool.

PET Scans Ontario and CCO Informatics staff

PET Scans Ontario and CCO informatics staff have access to the PET E-tool to:

  • support the operations of the program
  • support the application
  • carry out requests for changes to patient records (e.g., to correct errors)
  • extract information for health system planning and management (based on CCO’s “prescribed entity” status)

CCO technical support staff

Technical support staff have the same access as PET Scans Ontario and CCO Informatics staff. They also have physical access to the PET Scans Ontario server, which is securely located in CCO’s data centre.

CCO Protects Your Personal Health Information

The personal health information in the PET E-tool is protected by administrative, technical and physical safeguards.

Administrative safeguards

PET centres using the PET E-tool must sign a License Agreement with CCO. The agreement contains detailed Terms of Use to be accepted by authorized users (employees, consultants and contractors) before they can access the PET E-tool.

Referring physicians must accept detailed Terms of Service before they can access the PET E-tool.

Both agreements require PET E-tool users to keep confidential the personal health information they access through the PET E-tool and their user credentials.

CCO staff who have access to the PET Scans Ontario database must sign confidentiality agreements and regularly attend privacy and security training. This makes sure they understand the safeguards they must use to protect the personal health information kept in the database.

Technical Safeguards

PET E-tool users are registered by a Registration Authority who validates the user’s identity and confirms that the user requires access to the PET E-tool. Users access the PET E-tool with a unique username and password, through a secure website.

Physical Safeguards

The PET Scans Ontario database is located in CCO’s secure data centre. Access to the data centre is limited to a small number of support staff, controlled by electronic access cards and monitored with video surveillance.

Questions?

If you have questions about the privacy or security of the PET E-tool, please contact the CCO Legal and Privacy Office:

CCO Legal and Privacy Office
Cancer Care Ontario
620 University Avenue
Toronto, ON M5G 2L7

Phone: 416-217-1816

Email: Legal and Privacy Office