Kwai Chung Hospital announces incident of loss of patient records
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The spokesperson for Kwai Chung Hospital (KCH) made the following announcement today (August 18) regarding an incident of loss of patient records.
A staff member of the Occupational Therapy Department took seven patient records home and the records were left on a bus on August 11. A member of the public picked up records and mailed them back to the Hospital Authority (HA) Head Office. The records were then referred to KCH for follow-up. Having received four records on August 17, the hospital immediately conducted an investigation in the Occupational Therapy Department with the related staff member and confirmed that three records were still missing. KCH subsequently contacted the patients concerned and extended apologies.
The hospital is very concerned about the incident and will seriously follow up in accordance with the procedures of the HA human resources policy. Related staff members have been reminded again on the importance of the protection of patients' personal data and privacy. Prior approval should be obtained if any patient records have to be taken outside a hospital for work-related duties.
The hospital has reported the incident to the HA Head Office through the Advance Incidents Reporting System. As some of the records have not been located, the hospital has also reported the case to the Police and informed the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data.
Ends/Friday, August 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:30
Issued at HKT 18:30
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