Saskatchewan's privacy commissioner is calling for changes after a health-care worker snooped into medical records.
A report from the commissioner shows that last year, a Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region employee accessed the files of 35 people with no valid reason.
Patients initially weren’t notified by the health region, and the employee was placed on paid leave while an investigation took place.
Juanita Williams is among the affected patients who have since been notified of the privacy breach.
"It is like being robbed,” she said. “They are in your personal space, and they were not invited."
The privacy commissioner recommends better training for staff and additional disciplinary action.
The health region is still reviewing the privacy commissioner's report, but some of the recommendations are already being accepted and acted upon, such as improvements to the computer system and staff training.
"I do want to apologize to any patients whose private information may have been breached," said health region vice-president Mike Higgins.
No decision has been made on the fate of the employee who accessed the files.
Based on a report by CTV Regina’s Dale Hunter
