What is a reportable infection?
Some infections in Alberta are reportable. This means that when someone tests positive for some infections, the information is shared with public health. In Alberta, these STIs are reportable:
- chlamydia
- gonorrhea
- syphilis
- HIV
- non-gonoccocal urethritis (NGU)
- mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC)
- hepatitis A, B, and C
Positive test results are shared with public health (the provincial STI services program, or the provincial/zonal Communicable Disease team) to make sure you and your partners get support and are treated. If you have a reportable STI, you will be asked about your partners so they can be tested and treated.
Is my information kept confidential?
Any information you give your healthcare provider is confidential, including your test results. Your personal information will only be used to order tests and call you with your results.
If you test positive for a reportable infection, the information is shared with the provincial STI services program. You may be contacted by nurses to ensure you get the correct treatment and follow-up for your infection. Your partners will be contacted by nurses to recommend they also get tested and treated. This is a confidential process and no names or personal information will be given to your partners.
Who has access to my information?
Only authorized healthcare providers can access your health information. This is done through a provincial electronic health record (EHR) called Alberta Netcare. It’s a secure and confidential system for people in Alberta. Before healthcare providers can access Alberta Netcare, they have to agree to privacy and security conditions.
The Alberta Health Information Act (HIA) will fine and may lay criminal charges to anyone who isn’t authorized to look at, collect, use, or disclose someone’s health information. This means that your health information (including test results) will be kept private and is protected by Alberta law.
