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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of the New Territories West Hospital Cluster (NTWC) announces a loss of patient data incident today (December 5):
The diagnostic radiology department at Tuen Mun Yan Oi Polyclinic has reported a loss of chest X-ray request cards of 174 patients during delivery to Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH). The patients attended the Department of Health's (DH) chest clinic at the Polyclinic. The request cards carry the patient's name, identity card number, gender and the date of birth. The cards are for registration purpose only and do not contain any clinical information.
The patients affected are chest clinic patients who underwent chest X-ray examination on November 15 (Thursday) and November 16 (Friday). The reportedly lost request cards were scheduled to be delivered to the diagnostic radiology department of TMH on the following working day, November 19 (Monday), for data input. However the department staff did not receive the cards since then and a thorough search till today was in vain. The staff reported to the department and the hospital management.
The cluster has checked the patients' records and reassured that all patients affected by the incident have been given proper x-ray examination and medical care. The incident did not affect any clinical services to patients.
TMH has suspended the request cards delivery pending an overall review of the process, and will contact the affected patients as soon as possible. The hospital has also reminded the front line staff to properly handle patients' information and to timely report any loss of patients' data. The hospital has reported to DH, Police, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and Hospital Authority Head Office.
TMH apologises sincerely to the affected patients. The Hospital will operate a hotline (Tel: 2468 6708) during office hours starting tomorrow to Friday to handle enquiries of patients who have received chest x-ray examination at the clinic on November 15 and 16.
While expressing concern towards the incident and the timing of reporting, the Cluster will launch an internal investigation as follow up.
Note: Tuen Mun Yan Oi Chest Clinic is run by the Department of Health, while the Hospital Authority supports its diagnostic radiology services.
Ends/Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 21:16
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