Aug 1, 2012

Western Health would like to advise that it is in the process of contacting 1043 of its clients whose personal records were inappropriately accessed by an employee of the organization.  The employee has been terminated. 

For Immediate Release                                               

(Corner Brook, NL, August1st, 2012) Western Health would like to advise that it is in the process of contacting 1043 of its clients whose personal records were inappropriately accessed by an employee of the organization.  The employee has been terminated. 

“Western Health would like to apologize to each patient who has had their privacy breached”, said Dr. Susan Gillam, CEO of Western Health.  “We take our responsibility as the custodians of an individual’s personal health information very seriously and with the utmost care and concern.   Privacy breaches such as this one are extremely unfortunate.  Western Health has a zero tolerance for any such privacy breach.”

Western Health places great emphasis on maintaining privacy and confidentiality of patient information through education, information and confidentiality pledges.  As part of its commitment to privacy Western Health undertakes audits of its employee’s access to patient information to ensure appropriate use.  Western Health has also purchased a new Software Audit Management Package that will further enhance the auditing process.  Western Health will be implementing that software in the coming weeks. 

Western Health has identified all the patients who have been impacted and is in the process of contacting them directly.  Western Health has also been working with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner to inform them of the breach. 

Western Health is committed to ensuring that patient information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. 

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For further information:

Heidi Staeben-Simmons

Director of Communications

Western Health

637-5252

heidistaebensimmons@westernhealth.nl.ca