Charges laid after staff breached patient privacy at three Ontario hospitals

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid charges against three people in separate privacy investigations across the province.

In a press release dated Dec. 19, police wrote that the investigations took place over the last year. Three, now former staff members, at three hospitals were investigated after allegations of inappropriate access to electronic medical records related to the Personal Health Information Protection Act.

Officials told CityNews in an email that the names of the hospitals and the accused will not be released.

“Investigations involving personal health information are highly sensitive and require a thorough, evidence-based approach to ensure they stand up in court,” OPP Detective Rob Bridgen said. “To protect the integrity of the investigation and any legal proceedings, the OPP cannot share specific details or identify individuals involved.”

A staff member was at a hospital in eastern Ontario and the other two were at hospitals in northern and western Ontario. Police say the three incidents are unrelated.

The complaints heard were of employees at the hospitals that accessed information of patients:

• Not part of their circle of care;
• Accessed more than was reasonably required to complete their duties; and/or
• Accessed information after their role in the patient’s care was complete

Offences under the privacy act carry a maximum penalty of $200,000 and up to one year in prison.

“I can’t speak to how often we investigate these cases or any ongoing investigations. I can say that the HFIU (OPP Health Fraud Investigation Unit) considers allegations involving personal health information serious and are investigated thoroughly,” Bridgen said.