The CEO for Southern-Health Santé Sud says they have measures in place to ensure confidential information isn't going into the wrong hands. Kathy McPhail's reacting to two recent incidents in Winnipeg, where medical information was stolen from the vehicles of home care workers. She says while they have many measures in place to address these issues, when an incident arises they take a close look at their procedures.

"It causes you to go back and think about what you have in place, and if you have enough in place. We take the security of all documentation and our clients personal information and holding that in trust in the highest and deepest regard. We've taken a number of measures in our region to ensure we have the best security possible."

McPhail notes they even review their policies annually, with the help of Manitoba Health officials and the Ombudsman. She says they also have a small department, which focuses on the aspects of security and confidentiality.

"Their responsibility is to ensure the rest of us our educated and trained in how to keep those documents safe. We would hope, the policy would have staff keeping those documents locked in a case in their trunk, and to ensure their car is locked at all times if they do have those documents or are carrying those files in any manner."

While having the policies in place is one aspect, McPhail says having the staff aware and utilizing the proper measures is another issue. She notes they work to educate, and reeducate staff to ensure patient security is always top of mind.

"We can write all the policies we want, and I might now them and be able to recite them, but it needs to be the person that's going into the home and carrying the information. That's why those education sessions are so dramatically important. Every new staff member who comes to the region is education as part of our general education and orientation, they'll also be educated within the program."

McPhail anticipates the security related to documents for home care workers, and in the health system in general will greatly improve after all areas make the switch to the electronic system.