The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner
Comments on the Eastern Health Privacy Breach Involving Medical Waste

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) has been in communication with privacy officials from Eastern Health, and has been thoroughly briefed on the incident, including the measures taken in its aftermath. Eastern Health is taking the appropriate steps required where a breach of personal health information is concerned. A cleanup crew was sent three times to the area affected; the waste was removed and the area was scoured for any additional waste that might have been initially overlooked. An investigation into the incident and its cause(s) was launched by Eastern Health. Eight individuals were identified whose personal health information was breached, and they are each being notified directly by Eastern Health.

The OIPC will continue to remain in contact with Eastern Health on this issue, and will be seeking an update when their investigation has been completed. If it is the conclusion of the Commissioner at that time that Eastern Health has taken appropriate action to address this situation and prevent similar incidents affecting the privacy of patients, no further action will be taken. If further action is deemed necessary by the Commissioner to ensure the privacy of patients, recommendations will be made to ensure compliance with the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA).

If any of the affected individuals are dissatisfied with the response of Eastern Health to this incident, they are welcome to file a complaint with this office.

For more information, please see the OIPC website at www.oipc.nl.ca .

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Media Contact:
Ed Ring
Information and Privacy Commissioner
709-729-6309

2012 03 22             9:55 a.m.