Last Monday March 20, 2023, at precisely 5:24 pm ET, was the vernal (spring) equinox. If you recall, the vernal equinox is one of only two times per year when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, which results in an almost equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes.
I’m sure that for many of us, the busyness of our personal and professional lives meant that this moment passed by unnoticed. Yet for me, in addition to being a welcoming harbinger of the increasing warmth and light of spring, the equinox is a comforting reminder of the consistent cycle of events within our celestial calendar.
2023 Peer Assessor Workshop and Orientation
One of the significant recurring events within the CCO calendar is the annual workshops for new and returning peer assessors, held this year on January 27th and 28th respectively. Peer assessment is a cornerstone of CCO’s QA initiative and obligations, and central to that commitment is the training and support provided to CCO’s peer assessors themselves. This year saw nine new members welcomed as peer assessors, and 32 returning. The sessions highlighted the role and conduct of peer assessment, and focused on core competencies for CCO members as well as a review of amendments to specific policies and guidelines. Post-workshop evaluations were uniformly positive, with participants valuing the detailed agenda, dynamic presentations and opportunity to work within small groups to share experience and learnings. I too was greatly impressed by the quality of the discussions I witnessed. Congratulations to Dr. Katherine Tibor, the QA team and CCO staff, for these very successful sessions.
Amendments to Record Keeping Standards of Practice, Importance of Cyber Security and Resources from the Information and Privacy Commissioner
Please note that minor amendments to Standard of Practice S-002: Record Keeping and Standard of Practice S-022: Ownership, Storage, Security and Destruction of Records of Personal Health Information came into effect on February 24, 2023 (having been previously approved by CCO Council on November 24, 2022).
- Amendments to Standard of Practice S-002: Record Keeping now reflect the requirement to collect demographic information as necessary to identify, assess and treat patients, instead of requiring the collection of specific demographic information such as gender. (This is a common practice at many Ontario health regulatory colleges) Members may exercise professional judgment in collecting and recording necessary demographic information.
- Amendments to the electronic record keeping section of Standard of Practice S-002 and S-022 further emphasize the importance of the security, protection and confidentiality of patient personal health information maintained in electronic record keeping systems. This includes ensuring compliance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA), having protections in place to protect personal health information from loss, tampering, interference and unauthorized access, and having protocols in place in the event of a privacy breach. Members must understand and employ best practices to ensure the protection of patient personal health information in their electronic record keeping systems.
To assist members in their cyber security effort, the following are excellent resources available from the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario:
Please continue to visit CCO’s Privacy page for updates and links to resources on private and the protection of patient personal health information.
Treatment of Concussion and Rowan’s Law
Members who may be involved in the management or co-management of patients with mild traumatic brain injury/concussion are reminded to comply fully with relevant CCO standards of practice, policies, guidelines. These include:
- achieving, maintaining and being able to demonstrate clinical competency in the assessment, diagnosis and management of concussion, in accordance with Standard of Practice S-001: Chiropractic Scope of Practice
- obtaining informed consent for examination and care, consistent with Standard of Practice S-013: Consent
- performing a thorough health history, physical examination and report of findings
- providing care within the chiropractic scope of practice including performing appropriate re-assessments, consistent with CCO standards of practice, policies and guidelines
- collaborating and communicating with other appropriate health care professionals in the provision of care
- providing a referral to an appropriate health care professional if:
- the patient’s initial or subsequent condition is beyond the member’s competence or the chiropractic scope of practice
- the patient requires advanced diagnostic tests that members are not authorized to order
- the patient’s return to a specific activity requires assessment by and medical clearance from another regulated health professional (e.g., Rowan’s Law).
“Rowan’s Law” (Concussion Safety 2018) and related sport protocols that came into effect on January 1, 2022 require that:
- Athletes who have sustained a concussion, or are suspected of having sustained a concussion, must be removed from further training, practice, or competition, and cannot return to full participation in amateur competitive sport until medically assessed and cleared by a physician or nurse practitioner.
Members will find more ministry information directed to health care professionals on the implementation of Rowan’s Law here.
CCO Council Elections Update – Voting Closes in District 6 March 28, 2023 at 4 pm
Another significant recurring event within the CCO calendar is election to CCO Council. This year, as per CCO’s electoral cycle, nominations were open for candidates in Districts 5, 6 & 7. Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Green (District 5: Central West) and Dr. Jarrod Goldin (District 7: Academic), who were acclaimed in their respective districts. The election for District 6: Western is ongoing with voting closing Tuesday March 28.
Beyond election to Council, there are other avenues to become involved with CCO and to contribute to the regulation of chiropractic in Ontario. CCO has several non-council positions available to CCO members to participate on the ICRC, Discipline, Patient Relations, QA and Advertising committees, pursuant to the College’s bylaws.
Competent, caring and committed committee members are essential to CCO’s strength and performance as a self-regulated organization. I consider it a high honour to serve the public interest in the regulation of chiropractic in Ontario.
Wishing all the best to you and yours this spring,
Sincerely,
Dr. Dennis Mizel
CCO President
CCO Peer Assessor Workshop – January 28, 2023