ONTARIO-The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Rackets Branch – Health Fraud Investigation Unit (HFIU) has charged three former employees of Ontario hospitals following investigations into allegations of inappropriate access of electronic medical records related to the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) over the past year.
Police say in three unrelated incidents, the OPP became aware of complaints where employees had accessed personal health information of patients attending the hospital who were:
- Â Â Â Â Â Â not part of their circle of care;
- Â Â Â Â Â Â accessed more than was reasonably required to complete their duties; and/or
- Â Â Â Â Â Â accessed information after their role in the patient’s care was complete.
The incidents took place in hospitals located in western, eastern and northern Ontario.
Following the investigations, the OPP laid charges under the PHIPA.
Offences under PHIPA can carry a maximum penalty of $200,000 and up to one year in prison. No names or hospitals were released but police told Kawartha 411 News none of the hospitals in our are were implicated.
The OPP-HFIU investigates criminal and provincial offences involving the payment and delivery of health care services and products. If you suspect healthcare-related fraud or other offences, please call the Ministry of Health at 1-888-781-5556 or email at [email protected]