NSHA contacting hundreds whose personal health information was inappropriately accessed
Posted Jul 17, 2017 02:24:44 PM.
Last Updated Jul 17, 2017 06:58:34 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX, N.S. – Hundreds of patient records at the Nova Scotia Health Authority were inappropriately accessed in two separate incidents involving six employees.
The health authority is reaching out to 337 patients whose personal health information was accessed in the widespread privacy breaches.
A spokesperson says the privacy breaches are one of the largest on record at the provincial health body.
Colin Stevenson, an executive with the authority, calls the violation of confidentiality “substantial” and says the incidents are being taken very seriously.
He says the six employees involved are subject to disciplinary action, which could include termination.
Stevenson could not confirm whether the personal health records were accessed in error or deliberately with malicious intent.
The first incident, involving the inappropriate access and handling of health information of 244 patients by three employees, came to light after a patient complained in July 2016.
The second incident, involving the inappropriate access of health information of 93 patients by three different employees, was investigated after a manager raised concerns in January.
