In October 2016, CMTBC advised registrants that the College proposed a bylaw amendment to remove the requirement for RMTs to collect a patient’s personal health number (PHN). That requirement was initially put in place to provide unambiguous identification of the patient, and to facilitate coordination between an RMT’s health records and those of another health care provider in cases where a file was being transferred. Subsequently, however, the College reconsidered this requirement and determined that a general requirement to collect PHNs in all cases constituted an unnecessary threat to the security of patient information.

The bylaw amendment took effect on January 14, 2017. The College Bylaws no longer require RMTs to collect their patients’ PHNs.

If you have any questions about this amendment, please contact Kate Parisotto, Director, Inquiry and Discipline, at [email protected].