Queen Mary Hospital announces an incident of improper handling of patient data
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The spokesperson for Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) made the following announcement today (May 28) regarding an incident of improper handling of patient data:
A research staff member of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed) under the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology attended a ward round and observed a surgery with department staff in QMH on May 17. During this time, he took photos without permission. Two days later, six of the photos were posted to his social media platform, including those taken in a ward and operating theatre as well as a document showing the name, identity card number, gender, age and brief operation details of seven patients. The research staff removed the post from social media the next day.
On May 26, the hospital was informed of the incident and contacted the HKUMed immediately. Representatives of QMH and the HKUMed met with the staff member and his supervising professor afterwards. The research staff member deleted all 13 photos in his mobile phone, which were taken without permission, on site as witnessed by his supervisors.
The hospital is concerned about the incident and has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advance Incident Reporting System. The incident was reported to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong. The hospital has contacted all the affected patients to disclose the incident. Meanwhile, staff and research fellows of the HKUMed are reminded of the need for prudent handling of patients' personal data and ensuring strict compliance with the guidelines. Related training has to be provided in order to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future. A joint panel will also be set up with the HKUMed to investigate this incident.
Ends/Friday, May 28, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:36
Issued at HKT 19:36
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