Former Eastern Health employee snooped 11 patient files
CEO David Diamond apologizing to patients for breaches
An Eastern Health employee who inappropriately accessed the health information of 11 patients is no longer employed with the health authority.
Eastern Health says the privacy breaches that took place over several months were discovered after two affected patients raised concerns.
As a result, the employee, who provided clerical support at a St. John's facility, is no longer employed with Eastern Health, said a news release from the health authority on Tuesday.
"Eastern Health has absolutely no tolerance for deliberate breaches of patient privacy and we take the appropriate disciplinary action. It is completely unacceptable for any employee to violate patient trust and/or disregard the organization's privacy and confidentiality policies," said David Diamond, President and CEO.
"On behalf of Eastern Health, I publicly apologize to the patients whose privacy has been breached and assure the people we serve that we take our responsibility as a custodian of personal health information very seriously."
Eastern Health said it has identified the patients whose privacy was compromised and is contacting them. It says the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner has also been informed.