Tseung Kwan O Hospital staff accessing patient information without authorisation and leaking patients' information
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The Tseung Kwan O Hospital (TKOH) announced a case of staff non-compliance and unlawfully accessing and leaking patients' information. Subsequent investigation conducted by the hospital revealed that there were unauthorised access to a patient's personal information (including address and phone number), and suspected that internal documents containing other patients' information were improperly leaked to a third party without authorisation. The hospital was highly concerned and has immediately reported the case to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. As the incident may involve criminal offences and violating professional conduct, the hospital decided to report to the police and report to the Medical Council of Hong Kong. The hospital will fully cooperate with the investigation.
The Hospital Authority (HA) has always attached utmost importance to the professional conduct of staff and strictly requires all staff to adhere to the Code of Conduct of the HA, safeguarding patients' rights, upholding professional integrity and maintaining public's trust in medical professionalism.
The spokesperson of TKOH emphasises that clinical records concern patient's privacy, information obtained by staff in accordance with their post as authorised to use the Clinical Management System of HA should only be used for authorised purposes. Staff are prohibited to access patient's personal information, as well as to disclose to external parties unless with prior approval.
Under no circumstances should staff use such information or records to obtain personal gains, infringe on others' rights or for unauthorised personal purposes. The hospital will not tolerate staff accessing patient's information for unauthorised non-clinical purposes and improperly disclose patient's information to third parties. The hospital emphasises that such acts will seriously impinge upon professional integrity and doctor-patient relationship, and possibly violating the law, as well as professional conduct. If irregularities and unlawful acts are found after investigation, stringent actions will be taken.
Ends/Sunday, August 31, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:31
Issued at HKT 22:31
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