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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Deputising Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Cheung Wai Lun, expressed deep concern with the recent incidents in two public hospitals about personal data protection. He reiterated the determination of HA in protecting personal data of patients and staff members. The Authority also apologised for the possible inconvenience caused to those who were involved in the incidents.
HA has requested the two public hospitals concerned to strengthen the security measures as well as training and supervision for staff members to prevent the recurrence of similar incident in future.
HA has a set of clear guidelines requiring staff to exercise care in handling hospital information and patient data. Without Hospital Chief Executive approval, staff is not permitted to download patient data into USB or into other removable media and take away from hospital. Staff shall avoid using such electronic storage media in storing patient data. HA has procured more than 200 pieces of secure USB flash drive of proven security if the staff requires that they could apply for their use through the cluster administration.
HA has also performed security upgrade to more than 20 systems in restricting and encrypting the legitimate patient data downloads. In promoting the privacy awareness of HA staff and the importance of personal data protection, education programmes and seminars were conducted.
HA will conduct a comprehensive review on the guidelines and systems to further enhance personal data protection and will continue to arrange training and education programmes to deepen the awareness of staff members on the importance of personal data protection.
The Authority will also remind public hospitals to ensure staff members to comply with the guidelines on personal data protection. Any incident violating the relevant guidelines on personal data protection will be addressed and followed up seriously.
Ends/Saturday, June 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 23:00
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