The province is advising the public that a former health department employee inappropriately accessed personal information of 197 people.
An internal investigation into Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living revealed that the individual accessed people’s names, addresses and dates of birth.
“The former employee did not have access to personal health information in provincial databases that would include physician visits, diagnoses, medical billings, prescription drug records or hospitalizations,” the province said in a release on Monday morning.
"It seems to have been focused on a group of individuals known to the employee," said Patricia Caetano, Manitoba Health's Provincial Drug Program executive director.
The province is also assuring the public that not all department employees have access to personal health information.
“Under the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA) and the department’s PHIA policies and procedures, employees are only authorized to access information if it is necessary to carry out their defined responsibilities and work requirements,” it also said in the release.
Caetano said it appears the employee was in many cases using the information to send birthday cards. "Kind reasons, to want to access some information," said Caetano. "But inappropriate none the less."
The province said they are directly contacting all affected individuals and said if other individuals are identified, they will also be notified.
The department said it has notified the Manitoba Ombudsman’s office about this breach. Under PHIA, affected individuals can also make a complaint about unauthorized access to the Manitoba Ombudsman at 204-982-9130 or 1-800-665-0531.
