Zoom for Healthcare is a cloud-based video conferencing software approved for the delivery of Virtual Health. To support virtual health visits, PHSA endorses the use of Zoom for Healthcare, not Zoom Basic.
Zoom for Healthcare is endorsed by the Ministry of Health as a part for the COVID-19 emergency response. PHSA is provisioning accounts to eligible health care users. These accounts are referred to as Zoom for Virtual Health Visits accounts.
Zoom for Virtual Health Visits is best used for scheduled or on-demand clinical appointments. It has screen sharing and chat functions that can be used for one-on-one or group sessions.
PHSA does not endorse the use of Zoom Basic (the free version) or Zoom Pro for hosting virtual health visits. These versions of Zoom do not meet privacy and security requirements for patient care.
- Access to reliable internet (Wi-Fi or data)
- A computer, smartphone (iOS or Android), or tablet with:
- Speakers and a microphone (we recommend using a headset)
- A webcam or built-in camera
- The Office of Virtual Health (OVH) is coordinating the provisioning of Zoom for Virtual Health Visit accounts to users at the following organizations:
- Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)
- Providence Health Care (PHC)
- Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA)
- HealthLinkBC (HLBC)
- Doctors of BC (DoBC)
- Community Living BC (CLBC)
Please note the online form works best in Google Chrome. You will receive an account activation email once it is ready.
Patients can join a Zoom virtual health visit with or without an account.
Clinical users can access Zoom for Virtual Health Visits in three ways:
- Desktop application -- this is installed on most health authority workstations that are on-site and connected to the network
- Mobile app -- download the Zoom Cloud Meetings app from iOS or Google app stores
- Web browser
Please always use your Zoom for Virtual Health Visits account to connect with patients.
Please note: some documents in this section have been updated.
The monthly training session is interactive and open to all staff using Zoom within PHSA, Providence Health Care, Island Health, Doctors of BC, HealthLinkBC and Community Living BC. The panel of experts (representatives from the Office of Virtual Health, IMITS, Zoom) will be answering any questions that you submit.
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This session will have a demo of the Zoom chat features and will also share insights on how Zoom for Virtual Health Visits can be used and integrated into your clinical workflow. It will include a LIVE Q&A!
| Mar. 25,
noon to 1:00 p.m.
| At this link.
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To be determined
| April 29
noon to 1:00 pm
| Coming soon
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Service Desk:
- Clinical employees can call or email the Service Desk (servicedesk@phsa.ca) for technical inquiries (use "Zoom for Virtual Health Visits" in the email subject).
A support desk has been set up to help patients with any technical difficulty for their virtual health visits. The phone number for this service is attached to their email invitation for the virtual health visit.
You can refer to the
Patient Resources webpage for more information.
- Always use your Zoom for Virtual Health Visits account to connect with patients. This ensures the privacy and security of the virtual health visit is protected. Please do not use any other version of Zoom, free or paid.
- Avoid using a public internet connection (e.g. external Wi-Fi) for your virtual health visit as it does not guarantee privacy and security.
We have applied the following configurations to even better protect privacy and security:
- Virtual health visits are passcode protected
- 'Waiting rooms' for virtual health visits are enabled
- Virtual health visits cannot be recorded
- File transfer is disabled
- Annotations during virtual health visits are turned off
Do:
- Double check that the invite is addressed to the correct recipient(s)
- "Lock" the virtual health visit once all participants have joined
- Only allow the host to screen share during the virtual health visit
- If screen sharing, ensure no personal information from anyone other than the patient is being shared. If others are participating in the visit, request the patient's permission before screen sharing personal information
- Enable/assign a Co-Host to manage participants during the virtual health visit
Don't:
- Schedule virtual health visits using your Personal Meeting ID
- Use distribution lists to send out invitations
- Share links to join a virtual health visit on public-facing platforms
- Enable option to allow removed participants to rejoin the visit after being removed
- Bandwidth capacity: health authority infrastructure and performance load to support simultaneous sessions and performance (use case dependent)
- Potential to send meeting invite to an uninvited recipient
- Unintended sharing of personal identifiable information
- Policy constraints if user is on external Wi-Fi or in a public setting
