Ambient Listening

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Ambient Listening?

Ambient Listening is a secure, speech‑to‑text technology used to help your care team take notes during your visit. It listens passively during your conversation with your health care provider and creates a clinical note.

This technology does not replace your health care provider—it helps with documentation so your health care provider can focus more on you.

How does the technology work?

• The system is designed to capture only the clinical conversation between you and your health care provider during your visit.
• After the audio is converted into a draft note, it is deleted.
• The generated medical note is reviewed and approved by your health care provider before being added to your patient health record.

The technology does not:

• Record in waiting rooms or public spaces
• Use recordings for training or research
• Make a clinical decision

Is my safety and privacy protected?

Your privacy is our priority.

• The ambient listening technology used at NBRHC has been fully reviewed and approved by the hospital’s Privacy and Security Committee.
• This technology follows Ontario and Canadian privacy laws, including the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA), and hospital privacy and security policies.
• The system operates on Canadian servers, and all data stays within Canada.
• Patient demographics (such as your name, date of birth, health card number, or contact information) are not required or stored by the system.
• Audio recordings are deleted after processing.

These safeguards meet all applicable Canadian privacy laws and hospital policies.

Can I opt out of my health care provider using this technology during my visit?

Participation is completely optional.  You may choose not to use the technology at any time during your visit.

Opting out:

• Will not affect your care
• Will not delay your treatment
• Will not be documented negatively in your record

Simply tell any member of your care team if you prefer not to have the technology used during your visit.

Questions or Concerns?

If you have questions about this technology, privacy, or your rights:

• Speak with your health care provider
• Contact NBRHC Privacy Office:
  • Phone: 705‑474‑8600 ext. 3320
  • Email: privacy@nbrhc.on.ca