As we welcome our recent new starters to Monash Health, it’s timely that we raise awareness about the importance of privacy for our patients and our employees.
There have been recent incidents around accessing patient information, sharing patient photos externally, and sharing workplace photos on social media.
Such indiscretions are not only harmful to our patients, but some have also been covered in the media and are potentially damaging to our reputation.
We recognise that many privacy breaches are not malicious and often result from curiosity or carelessness. However, regardless of intent, they can still lead to disciplinary action.
For example, if you have sent images of patients to a family member or friend from a personal device (even deidentified images), you have breached their legal and ethical right to privacy and you could lose your job.
Sharing images of patients with family members or friends is a big NO. Sharing images of patients with colleagues is also a big NO, unless it is strictly related to their care.
Privacy is a basic human right. And protecting and respecting the privacy of others is a vital part of our roles, from an ethical and legal perspective.
It’s not just ethical, it’s the law
Our patients’ privacy is protected under legislation including the Health Services Act 1988 (Vic), the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) and the Mental Health Act 2014 (Vic).
Patient and employee privacy is also protected by Monash Health policies and procedures which you can find on Prompt.
You can only share patient information and images with people authorised to receive it, by following the Privacy (emailing, faxing or messaging patient information) Procedure.
A privacy breach means you are breaking the law and you could lose your job and compromise your AHPRA registration.
Make sure you understand your obligations when it comes to protecting privacy. Log on to Latte to keep your privacy training up to date – it only takes 15 minutes.
If you need any further information or advice, you can contact medicolegal@monashhealth.org, or call 9594 1371.
Approved by Paul Butler, Executive Director, Office of the Chief Executive