Arabic version: مستشفى رويال داروين يعتذر عن انتهاك للخصوصية عبر إنستغرام
According to ABC News, Royal Darwin Hospital has apologised to about a dozen pregnant patients after confidential medical information was shared on Instagram with 28,000 followers. Hospital management said it had been told that an overseas-trained doctor attached to its obstetrics and gynaecology unit posted images and videos in which patient details were visible.
The hospital’s letter to affected patients said information on a handover sheet included names, hospital record numbers, ward and bed numbers, consultant names, presenting problems, medical histories, investigations and management plans. The posts also included a video from a staff meeting in which health professionals could be heard discussing a woman’s care.
The content was posted to the Instagram account of Dr Neda Mogharehabed, ABC News reported. Dr Mogharehabed said she could not confirm how the images were posted or whether they came from the account she currently controls, noting there may be other accounts using her name. She said she did not intend to disclose patient information, took privacy seriously and was sorry for the concern caused.
Royal Darwin Hospital described the doctor as a medical observer who was not permitted to undertake patient management. Her attachment to NT Health has since been terminated. Dr Mogharehabed said she had not received specific training on photography, video recording or social-media posting, and was not specifically informed during her observership that posting such material was prohibited.
Shanelle Tobin, an ABC Radio Darwin producer whose information was exposed, said the discovery was “shocking” and that the account’s 28,000 followers made the feeling of violation set in. Dr Dayna Duncan, vice president of the Australian Medical Association’s NT Branch, said any breach of patient confidentiality was unacceptable. Tobin said she hoped the incident would be a major wake-up call for the hospital, while still planning to receive care and give birth there.
