British Columbians can direct the disclosure of their provincial electronic health record (EHR) through a system using a keyword. When the patient gives the keyword to a health professional, the patient is giving permission to that person to access their records on a temporary basis. Health providers in emergency, diagnostic, and transfer of care settings may be able to override the keyword.

More information on disclosure directives and how to obtain a keyword is available at health.gov.bc.ca/ehealth/ dd.html or at Health Insurance BC, 604 683-7151 in the Lower Mainland and 1 800 663-7100 elsewhere in BC.

The lab results delivery element of the provincial EHR system is expected to go live in a phased approach in BC starting in the fall of 2009. Over the next few years, other health information banks will be added. For more information, visit health.gov.bc.ca/ ehealth/index.html.