Saskatchewan’s Privacy Commissioner is “disappointed” rules for disposing personal patient health information are not being followed after four more cases were reported.
Gary Dickson says recently one case was discovered in Saskatoon, with three more in Regina.
This comes after the highly publicized discovery of thousands of patient records in a recycling bin on Albert Street on March 23.
It is concerning to Dickson, who points to extensive media coverage of the incident and the investigation. He believes there is a problem within the system and wants staff to be better educated on how to dispose of medical records.
Proper procedures have been forwarded to the 20 regulated colleges in the province.
Dickson recommends eight steps, including making sure information is fully shredded or otherwise completely destroyed, and keeping a proper record retention and disposition schedule and make sure it is followed.
He also plans to discuss the situation with the Ministries of Justice and Health to see what more can be done – including prosecuting those who do not dispose of files properly.
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