By Sarah Klein
(Health records image via Shutterstock)
An audit by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has found the personal health information of 56 people was inappropriately accessed by an employee.
The WRHA says a pharmacist working at the Grace Hospital at the time accessed the information, which was discovered during an audit by WRHA privacy staff. The individual is no longer an employee within the region.
“Accessing, reviewing, or browsing through patient records out of curiosity is not permitted,” said Real Cloutier, vice-president and chief operating officer of the WRHA.
“We take patient privacy and our role in safeguarding personal health information very seriously, and we appreciate how upsetting this can be for patients.”
Those patients who had their information accessed have been notified, as well as the Manitoba Ombudsman.
The WRHA says the information was accessed through an electronic system called eChart Manitoba, which doctors, nurses, radiologists, and other staff are able to access to provide care to patients.
Those found to disclose confidential patient information can be disciplined, terminated by their employer and face a charge under the Personal Health Information Act and be fined up to $50,000.
