West Shore launches probe after technician's post on PM's health | Loop News
West Shore Private Hospital has launched an investigation into an apparent breach of patient confidentiality following a post by a cardiac technologist regarding the medical care of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
Rowley on Saturday underwent an angiogram and subsequent angioplasty after being hospitalised on Friday.
The post by the technologist, an employee of Cardiovascular Associates Limited (CVA) who is also a part-time independent contractor for Advanced Cardiovascular Institute (ACI), surfaced on Saturday in a screenshot and has been circulating across social media. CVA and ACI are West Shore affiliates.
The original post under which the technician commented, appears to have been deleted.
West Shore today addressed the post, assuring that it’s investigating the matter.
Further, it said the technician will not be asked to provide any services at West Shore or for ACI.
The hospital said it takes “a zero-tolerance” approach to breaches of patient confidentiality, noting that all staff and independent contractors are required to sign agreements to ensure patient information is kept “in the strictest confidence”.
A statement posted to the private hospital’s Facebook page read:
“Earlier yesterday evening it was brought to the attention of West Shore Private Hospital, Advanced Cardiovascular Institute (ACI) and Cardiovascular Associates Limited (CVA) that statements with reference to a patient were being circulated on social media, made allegedly by a cardiac technologist identified as an employee of Cardiovascular Associates Limited and a part-time independent contractor for ACI.
The technician so identified is not a medical doctor.
An investigation into the matter was immediately initiated by our companies, and will be conducted in accordance with full due process, following which action deemed necessary and appropriate will be taken.
Until this process is concluded, the technician will not be asked to provide any services at West Shore or for ACI.
Our three companies are governed by a zero-tolerance policy regarding breaches of patient confidentiality. All staff members and independent contractors are required to sign agreements to keep patient information in the strictest confidence.
West Shore, ACI and CVA have a long and proud track-record of adhering to the highest standards in patient care, inclusive of maintaining absolute patient confidentiality.”
In a brief response, the People's National Movement (PNM) acknowledged West Shore's response in the matter, but said it will await the outcome of this probe.
"We have seen the screen grabs that are circulating on social media, and we have seen the response from the hospital.
Like the rest of the national community, we await the outcome of the investigation that the institution is undertaking."
Rowley on Saturday underwent an angiogram and subsequent angioplasty after being hospitalised on Friday.
The post by the technologist, an employee of Cardiovascular Associates Limited (CVA) who is also a part-time independent contractor for Advanced Cardiovascular Institute (ACI), surfaced on Saturday in a screenshot and has been circulating across social media. CVA and ACI are West Shore affiliates.
The original post under which the technician commented, appears to have been deleted.
West Shore today addressed the post, assuring that it’s investigating the matter.
Further, it said the technician will not be asked to provide any services at West Shore or for ACI.
The hospital said it takes “a zero-tolerance” approach to breaches of patient confidentiality, noting that all staff and independent contractors are required to sign agreements to ensure patient information is kept “in the strictest confidence”.
A statement posted to the private hospital’s Facebook page read:
“Earlier yesterday evening it was brought to the attention of West Shore Private Hospital, Advanced Cardiovascular Institute (ACI) and Cardiovascular Associates Limited (CVA) that statements with reference to a patient were being circulated on social media, made allegedly by a cardiac technologist identified as an employee of Cardiovascular Associates Limited and a part-time independent contractor for ACI.
The technician so identified is not a medical doctor.
An investigation into the matter was immediately initiated by our companies, and will be conducted in accordance with full due process, following which action deemed necessary and appropriate will be taken.
Until this process is concluded, the technician will not be asked to provide any services at West Shore or for ACI.
Our three companies are governed by a zero-tolerance policy regarding breaches of patient confidentiality. All staff members and independent contractors are required to sign agreements to keep patient information in the strictest confidence.
West Shore, ACI and CVA have a long and proud track-record of adhering to the highest standards in patient care, inclusive of maintaining absolute patient confidentiality.”
In a brief response, the People's National Movement (PNM) acknowledged West Shore's response in the matter, but said it will await the outcome of this probe.
"We have seen the screen grabs that are circulating on social media, and we have seen the response from the hospital.
Like the rest of the national community, we await the outcome of the investigation that the institution is undertaking."
