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March 01, 2025 - 7:00 PM
A BC nurse has been suspended for eight weeks for snooping on medical records.
According to a Feb. 18, BC College of Nurses and Midwives decision, licenced practical nurse Sunil Munjaral breached privacy and confidentiality standards when he looked at the medical records of people not in his care. He also looked at his own medical records.
The decision doesn't say how many records Munjaral looked at, but that it occurred between 2021 and 2022.
"Privacy and confidentiality standards require nurses to access their or other individuals' personal and health information only for purposes that are consistent with their professional responsibilities," the decision reads.
The Surrey-based nurse was suspended for eight weeks.
In December 2022, a report released by the privacy watchdog found that British Columbians' medical records were "disturbingly" vulnerable to leaks.
Over the last few years, numerous nurses have been caught and disciplined for snooping on medical records, with punishments ranging from a week to eight months.
In 2023, a Interior Health nurse who was found to have a "wanton disregard" for patient privacy and "no remorse" received a four-month suspension. A West Kelowna nurse who peaked on medical records then sent harassing text messages got a 10-week suspension.
Once Munjaral has completed his eight-week suspension he will be placed on probation for a period in which he will be barred from being the sole nurse of duty, supervising students, or orienting new staff. He'll also have to complete courses on professionalism, ethics, boundaries, communication, and appropriate workplace conduct.
The regulator says it is satisfied that the terms will protect the public.
No other information was included in the decision.
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