How to Find Your PIA Number

Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)

A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) is the process used to analyze, identify and address potential privacy risks within a clinic. Every clinic is required to complete an initial PIA upon opening and to review, maintain and amend their documentation regularly.

Office of Information & Privacy Commissioner

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner's (OIPC) duties include ensuring that custodians uphold the access and privacy rights outlined in Alberta legislation, advocate for the access and privacy rights of Albertans, and review and investigate privacy concerns. The OIPC is also responsible for reviewing and making recommendations of clinic PIA's.

What happens after you submit?

• PIAs will be reviewed and a closing letter with comments and recommendations will be issued.
• The OIPC will be reviewing PIAs as submitted.
• If the PIA submission is incomplete or insufficient, the OIPC will close the file and notify the submitter of that. Generally, the OIPC will not be asking additional questions as this causes delays in the review process; however, the submitter will be asked to consider re-submitting the PIA, especially for custodians under HIA, who are required to submit PIAs to the OIPC.

Knowing Your PIA Number

The OIPC has a registry of all accepted PIAs. If you can't remember your PIA number, it can be searched for on their site. You will need this information for:

• Accessing diagnostic laboratories
• Alberta Netcare participation
• Community Information Integration (CII) & Central Patient Attachment Registry (CPAR)
• Enabling new technology (e.g. patient portal, secure email, virtual appointments, etc.)
• Implementing an Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
• Primary Care Network (PCN) membership