Calgary lab assistant admits to snooping in health files, fined $3,500

A lab assistant who admitted to snooping into the health records of almost one dozen Albertans has been fined $3,500.

Alaa Hammoud, who works for Calgary Laboratory Services, pleaded guilty earlier this month to inappropriately looking at health information.

Provincial officials say the breaches occurred between last July and September in Chestermere and Calgary and were discovered by Hammoud’s employer during a routine audit.

Alberta’s privacy commissioner was notified as were the 11 people whose health information was improperly viewed.

Four of the people filed complaints with the commissioner and an investigation led to charges being laid in August.