Privacy Expectations for Registrants

Holding positions of trust and authority within the health-care system, registrants of the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) have legal and ethical obligations to safeguard the privacy of people in their care.

The CRNA is responsible for setting and enforcing standards of practice and ethical conduct for registrants under the Health Professions Act (HPA). The CRNA's Privacy and Management of Health Information Standards, and Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses (Canadian Nurses Association, 2017) — speak directly to registrants' privacy protection obligations. Aligning with Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA), these standards outline registrant responsibilities and accountabilities in the protection of patient health information. All registrants, regardless of their role, job description or area of practice, must follow the CRNA's standards of practice and the Code of Ethics. 

Additionally, the CRNA's registrants are expected to follow their employer's workplace policies and applicable privacy legislation beyond the HIA, such as Alberta’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) or the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Registrants are accountable for understanding which legislation applies to their nursing practice.

Registrants who fail to comply with any of the CRNA's standards of practice may be reported via our complaints process. If a registrant is determined to have breached a standard, whether intentional or unintentional, the CRNA may seek disciplinary action.

For questions related to any of the CRNA's standards of practice, contact our Practice Guidance team.