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The Department of Health (DH) is working closely with the police in the investigation of a suspected theft case involving a removable electronic storage device (USB flash drive) containing patients¡¯ information.
The USB flash drive, which contained medical reports and referral letters of about 700 named patients, was found to be missing at the Child Assessment Centre (CAC) in Tuen Mun on April 18. Attempts to locate the device failed and the incident was reported to the Police on April 22.
The department has sent letters to parents of the involved patients to inform them of the situation and the Privacy Commissioner of Personal Data has also been notified.
The Deputy Director of Health, Dr Gloria Tam, today (April 25) apologised to the families affected.
Dr Tam said most of the patients affected were children visiting Tuen Mun Child Assessment Centre and the rest were children from other CACs.
While understanding the concern and feelings of the affected families, Dr Tam re-assured parents that treatment arrangements for their children would not be affected as the original medical records remained intact.
As the case involved personal privacy, the affected families should remain alert and report to the Police if they were approached by suspicious people with their personal data, she said.
¡°There is a Department of Health hotline (2125 1133) for enquiries. The hotline will operate until 9pm today, from 9am to 1pm tomorrow and Sunday and from 9am to 5pm during weekdays from next Monday.
¡°We have reminded our staff about the absolute importance of office security and to strictly adhere to the Government¡¯s security regulations,¡± Dr Tam said.
With immediate effect, staff have been asked to keep storage of identifiable patient information in removable electronic devices to a minimum essential for the efficient conduct of business. The information should be encrypted.
These should not be removed from the specific office/clinic unless with prior approval from the respective service heads.
Ends/Friday, April 25, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:19
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