Region Syddanmark has filed a formal complaint with Denmark’s Data Protection Agency, Datatilsynet, after discovering that mail carrier Dao left sacks of postal deliveries in publicly accessible areas at several hospitals during week six. According to the region’s press release, these locations included unstaffed hospital lobbies over weekends, violating agreed-upon delivery protocols. Dao had been issued access cards specifically to deliver mail to secure, non-public areas.
The misplaced mail included sensitive diagnostic samples from citizens, some containing personal health information. While there is no evidence yet that this data was accessed or misused, the risk of a privacy breach prompted immediate action. Region Syddanmark’s CEO Kurt Espersen emphasized that such lapses are unacceptable, especially when patient safety and data security are at stake.
In response, the region has implemented temporary measures, including assigning staff to conduct scheduled rounds to collect mail from previously misused drop-off points. Espersen acknowledged the added burden on already stretched healthcare workers but stressed it was necessary. He also confirmed that Dao’s top management has been summoned to an urgent meeting to resolve the issue permanently. "I hope and expect Dao fixes these delivery failures quickly," he said.
Read more: Region Reports Dao Over Sensitive Mail Left in Public Areas.
Read more: Region Reports Dao Over Patient Data Security Breach.