Last Update: 04/05/2026 at 2:50 PM EST
B.C. Health Workers Snoop Records
Coverage from Canadian HR Reporter, CityNews Vancouver, and others
Articles
4
Latest Article
02/20
Active Days
3
Executive Summary
B.C.'s privacy watchdog found health workers accessed patient files after the Lapu-Lapu Day attack, prompting discipline and new safeguards
- OIPC found 71 unauthorized accesses to patient records after the April 26, 2025 Lapu-Lapu Day attack
- The breaches involved 36 workers across VCH, FHA, PHSA and Providence Health Care
- Most employees accessed records out of curiosity, not for care or work duties
- Some workers viewed records repeatedly or accessed multiple patients in a single day
- Two employees disclosed patient information to colleagues after accessing the files
- Sanctions ranged from warnings and suspensions to termination and system access removal
- The commissioner issued nine recommendations on training, auditing, breach notices and discipline
Quick Facts
- What: Unauthorized access to patient records and disclosures
- Where: Vancouver health authorities in British Columbia
- Why: Mostly to satisfy curiosity rather than provide care
- Who: 36 health workers and one office assistant
- When: After the April 26 2025 Lapu-Lapu Day attack
Coverage Timeline: 3 Days
Featured Article
British Columbia authorities found multiple healthcare worker snooping incidents, prompting calls for clearer employer policies, monitoring, and documented discipline regarding health data access.
Additional Articles
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Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia reports unauthorized access to patient records by health authority staff in Vancouver on February 19 2026.
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia found 71 unauthorized accesses by health workers to patient records after the April 26, 2025 Vancouver-area tragedy and recommended nine fixes.
British Columbia’s privacy commissioner reported in 2026 that 36 health workers across four health authorities illegally accessed Lapu-Lapu Day attack victims medical records in Vancouver, prompting disciplinary action and privacy reforms.