KMHC to celebrate Confidentiality Week from July 22 to 26

For immediate release

(Kahnawake – 17, Ohiarihkó:wa/July 2024) Tehsakotitsén:tha Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC)
wishes to inform its clients and the community that it is embarking on a special initiative to recognize
the critical importance of maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information within the KMHC
environment.

Confidentiality Week is being supported by the KMHC’s Board of Directors to promote and re-iterate a
culture of trust, safety, integrity, and responsibility among all employees concerning patient, client,
resident and employee information.

“It is good policy to remind everyone just how important confidentiality is,” said Executive Director
Valerie Diabo. “We realized that some of our policies need to be updated, and that all employees –
including directors and managers – should undergo mandatory training on confidentiality and data
protection.”

“We don’t have any specific problems in this area but the world is changing and we need to be
prepared,” Ms. Diabo added. “For example, the increasing use of social media brings new challenges,
and an institution such as ours has a very serious responsibility to maintain the trust of our clients and
their families by ensuring privacy continues to be paramount.”

There will also be an awareness banner erected in the main lobby/waiting area to remind the public that
everyone’s privacy should be respected. “Something as simple as saying you ‘saw so-and-so in the clinic
and he didn’t look too good’ should not be a part of your conversations,” the Executive Director added.
“Privacy and respect are things we all believe in – we just feel that we need to collectively remind
ourselves that it’s not something we should take for granted.”

Various staff activities will take place throughout the week, beginning with a presentation to staff by the
Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Kim Martin, on Monday. She will explain the Resolution passed by
the Board in June to celebrate Confidentiality Week.

“We (the Board) feel that celebrate is the right word to describe the goals of next week’s activities,” said
Ms. Martin. “Confidentiality is one of the most important factors in promoting trust. We should
celebrate the fact that we’re doing a good job, but there is always room for improvement.”

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Contact:
Sha’teiohserí:io Patton, Communications/Public Relations Officer
Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre
450-638-3930 ext. 2286 or communications@kmhc.ca