Vancouver's health authority is assuring patients their privacy is secure after firing a clerical employee who admitted to sneaking a peek at the medical records of five local media personalities.
The female staff member, who had worked for Vancouver Coastal Health for several years, accessed the files through the authority's electronic records system on multiple occasions in October and November.
The breach was picked up in a routine audit. When confronted, the worker said she snooped out of "curiosity," but did not share any of the information verbally or by email.
Her job was terminated Wednesday, and the people whose files were compromised were notified. Their names and media outlets have not been identified, but a health authority spokesman said Thursday that "many Vancouverites would know who they are."
The woman violated a confidentiality agreement that was a signed part of the authority's terms of employment.
President and CEO Dr. David Ostrow has apologized in a public statement to both the people impacted and also to all patients, clients and residents, saying the incident violates the trust people place in the authority.
Its privacy officer is examining whether further measures can be taken to prevent future transgressions.
