(Laptop image via Shutterstock)
The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority says a laptop containing personal health information was recently stolen from a doctor’s office.
The WRHA says the laptop contained data for 322 patients and was stolen from the department of internal medicine. Data included patient consultations undertaken within the past 18 months at the Hepatology Clinic located within the Health Sciences Centre.
“The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority takes patient privacy and its role in safeguarding personal health information seriously,” said Real Cloutier, vice-president and COO for the WRHA.
Winnipeg police and the Manitoba Ombudsman have been notified of the potential privacy breach and all affected patients will be receiving letters.
“We can appreciate how unsettling this must be for patients. We are deeply sorry, and want to assure patients and the public we are looking at every option possible to get the laptop back.”
