DOMINICA CHINA FRIENDSHIP HOSPITAL COMPLETES INVESTIGATION IN TO VOICE NOTE CIRCULATED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA
The Management of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCHF) has completed an investigation into the circulation of an offensive voice note from a staff member commenting on the condition and care of a patient.
Based on the findings of the investigation, the Dominica Hospitals Authority initiated procedures for disciplinary action against the identified staff member. The staff member has since resigned, effective Wednesday, January 24th, 2024.
The management of the Dominica China Friendship Hospital and the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services denounce the act and reassures the public of its commitment to protect patient health information and guard against breaches of confidentiality.
Thepublicisadvisedthatsuchbreachesareagainstthepoliciesoftheorganizationand by extension the public service of Dominica. The Dominica Hospitals Authority Act, No. 8 of 2021, Section 49 addresses confidentiality of every member and officer of the Authority and any employee who intentionally or maliciously seeks to undermine the integrity of the hospital and bring the institution into disrepute will be appropriately disciplined.
This matter has brought into sharp focus the need for a review of rules, policies and systems to ensure that patient confidentiality and privacy are not compromised or violated. To this end, all team members will be re-trained and re-sensitized on the importance of confidentiality, trust and integrity at the hospital.
Additionally, management will ensure that all staff sign the oath of confidentiality upon employment and are informed of the consequences of breaching the trust and confidentiality of patients.
As we continue to strive for customer excellence, we encourage the general public to reportanydeviationfrom thismandatebycalling the Quality Department at266-2019 or email [email protected]
Same for all public institutions here. Nothing is confidential or sacred. You get an issue with police, police coming and watch to see if is you that in the cell before they run outside to tell everybody. You go hospital, those nurses watching you like they more trying to figure out who you are instead of dealing with your ailment. We have a serious serious issue with professionalism here. Many think its going school and getting a certificate that makes you a professional. But half of it is having a professional attitude and mindset. Im glad she got fired. And id urge the administration to fire all who think confidentiality and integrity is a joke.
So very true. Top marks!
Notwithstanding the fact that this person should resign, we shouldn’t lose the forest for the trees. There are serious issues with patient care at The DCFH, and this MUST be addressed as a matter of urgency. Otherwise more heads should roll.
Well-said!
That oath of confidentiality should have been there a long time ago.That should go for all government departments.The acolytes and spies of UWP take all government confidential matters and leak it to the media whore on q95.I remember the media saying he was getting confidential information DIRECTLY from senior officers in the police force.In any other country heads would roll.I have always said the authorities should prevent the media whore and Q95 from discussing any sensitive or for your eyes only document on radio.This Labour party is too damn slack.
It gets better by the day.
This, the Authority’s, effort at ensuring accountability on this vexing issue is commendable, even if selective. We say selective in this case, as we know of times without numbers where patient privacy has been compromised, wherein sensitive medical situation or history were leaked, and made public, by persons of trust at China Friendship, with zero intervention of this sort by on-site administrators, far less the Authority.
It’s an open question, therefore, whether it is the pedigree, social status, or the victim’s notoriety that precipitated action – swift and timely, in this case, as may be.
This should be viewed as a warning and wake up call, to all health care workers, irregardless of their position, within the system, whether it be public or private service. Patient privacy and confidentiality should always be observed, and there should always be accountability for our actions.