More health records found in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, April 7 (UPI) -- A second major find of personal medical files was made in Saskatchewan and officials believe there could be a connection with last month's discovery.

Saskatchewan's Information and Privacy Commissioner Gary Dickson told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix the most recent discovery was made in a vacant, unlocked office in the city of Moose Jaw. The first one in March was similar, but in Yorkton.

He said publicity about the first batch of records generated telephone tips, one of which led to the second find, which consisted of 79 boxes of records.

Physicians and licensed professions are obliged by provincial law to safeguard all personal health information in their control, Dickson said. Violations can mean a fine up to $50,000 per person or $500,000 for an organization, although the province has never issued any such penalties.

He said it will take some time to sort through the latest find, but some things came to light during the weekend.

"It appears to involve a number of different physicians," Dickson said. "We think some of these physicians may in fact still be practicing in the province."