Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) has apologised after a medical observer posted images and videos containing patient details to Instagram, where the account had 28,000 followers. The breach exposed patients' names, hospital record numbers, ward and bed numbers, presenting problems, medical histories, investigations and management plans.
The information was posted to the Instagram account of Dr Neda Mogharehabed, who was attached to the hospital's obstetrics and gynaecology unit as a medical observer. RDH management said in a letter to affected patients that NT Health had been informed of the breach and that Dr Mogharehabed's attachment had been terminated. The hospital's letter acknowledged the incident may cause 'distress, embarrassment or concern about your privacy and your trust in our service' and said: 'You should not have had to experience this and we are deeply sorry.'
In a statement to the ABC, Dr Mogharehabed said she 'cannot confirm how these images were posted' or 'whether they originated from the account I currently control', noting there 'may be other accounts using my name'. She said she 'did not intend to disclose any patient information' and took 'patient privacy seriously'. She added she received no specific training from RDH about photography, video recording or posting content on social media, and was 'not specifically informed during my observership that posting such content on social media was prohibited'.
One affected patient, ABC Radio Darwin producer Shanelle Tobin, who is 17-weeks pregnant, said she learned of the breach when a member of the public contacted her. Ms Tobin, who had consented to the observer's presence during her appointment, described the incident as 'shocking' and a 'violation'. She said the information shared in medical appointments covered sensitive areas including previous pregnancies, terminations, mental health, sexually transmitted infections, fertility journeys and experiences of domestic violence.
The vice president of the NT Branch of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Dayna Duncan, said 'any breach of patient confidentiality is unacceptable in all situations', noting that 'very clear laws and guidelines about patient privacy in Australia, including social media' exist.
Despite the breach, Ms Tobin said she still plans to give birth at RDH, recalling her first birth there as 'a really amazing experience' and expressing trust in the hospital's staff aside from the individual involved.