Royal Darwin Hospital apologises for pregnant patients' data posted to Instagram
A doctor posted handover sheets showing pregnant patients' names and medical details to Instagram to 28,000 followers.
Royal Darwin Hospital said sorry after a doctor posted patient details to Instagram. The posts showed names, hospital record numbers, ward and bed numbers, consultant names, health problems, medical history, and treatment plans.
The account had 28,000 followers. Dr Neda Mogharehabed, an overseas trained medical observer, posted the images and videos.
The doctor said she cannot confirm the images came from her account. She said she did not intend to show patient information.
Her job with NT Health has ended. The incident raised questions about training.
Dr Mogharehabed said she did not get told that posting medical content on social media was not allowed.
- 28,000
- Instagram followers
- About a dozen pregnant patients
- Patients affected
- Dr Neda Mogharehabed
- Doctor
- Obstetrics and gynaecology
- Hospital unit
Why it mattersPatients have a right to privacy about their medical history; breaches of this kind damage trust in hospitals and expose people to embarrassment and risk.
AustraliaThe breach affects Darwin patients and raises concerns about how hospitals in the NT manage confidentiality and train medical staff, including international observers.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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