Zoom for Healthcare is cloud-based video conferencing software approved for the delivery of Virtual Health. To support Virtual Health Visits in the COVID-19 response, PHSA endorses the use of Zoom for Healthcare, not Zoom Basic.
Zoom for Virtual Health Visits is endorsed by the Ministry of Health as a part for the COVID-19 emergency response. PHSA is providing accounts for free to eligible health care users.
Zoom for Virtual Health Visits is best used for scheduled or on-demand clinical appointments. It has live 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 accounts to users at different 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)
Request an account
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.
Zoom for Virtual Health Visits interactive training session:
- This is a monthly training and information session open to all users under the PHSA account provision. Together with a panel of experts, including a Zoom representative, we will be answering any question that you submit.
Zoom for Virtual Health Visits: Meeting settings and controls
| Jan. 28, noon to 1 p.m.
| At this link
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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).
PHSA Virtual Health Playbook coming soon!
- This document provides information on virtual health practice, clinical guideline, recommendations and privacy.
A support desk has been set up to help patients with any technical difficulty for their virtual health visits . This phone number is attached to their email invitation for the virtual health visit.
You can refer to the
Patient Resources webpage for more information written for patients and families.
- 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.
- Always use a private internet connection for the virtual health visit. Privacy and security is not guaranteed, however, if the patient uses a public internet connection.
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 maange 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