One Island Health employee has been fired after a significant security breach at Nanaimo Regional Hospital was discovered earlier this month.
In total, 102 individuals had their personal health files – recorded within a program called Powerchart – accessed and searched without proper authorization. Island Health has since apologized for the breach and have notified everyone who was impacted by it.
“This situation is unacceptable and we wholeheartedly apologize to everyone who has been affected by this situation,” said Island Health in a statement.
“The privacy and security of our patients’ and clients’ personal and health information is a top priority for Island Health.”
Island Health says that they make it clear to their employees that snooping into the confidential health records of family, friends, or anyone is strictly off limits, and enforce the prohibition with confidentiality agreements.
“They [employees] receive information and training about privacy, their employee obligations when accessing confidential information and records, and they sign confidentiality acknowledgements which must be renewed annually,” said Island Health.
While its standard policy not to divulge personal matters to the public, Island Health has confirmed that the employee involved in the breach has been fired.
In 2016, over 200 people had their records breached by Island Health employees in two separate cases.
