Rumour of COVID-19 exposure at IWK suggests staff shared private info: memo

Rumours that a patient at the IWK Health Centre lied about their symptoms only to later test positive for COVID-19 signals a potential privacy breach by hospital staff, according toan internal memo obtained by CBC News.

The memo to IWK staff in Halifax from the hospital's executive leadership team said the content of recentsocial media posts and media inquiries "strongly suggests that IWK staff member(s) were inappropriately sharing patient care related information."

It saidprivacy breaches are unacceptableand increase "the anxiety of patients and families which may result in their delaying or avoiding necessary care" at the hospital.

The IWK has been trying to reassurefamilies the hospital is safe after a social media post created more than a week ago left some worrying about the risk of COVID-19 in the facility.

The situation has put the IWK in a bindbecause it legally cannot comment on apatient's diagnosis or what happened due toprivacy concerns.

Post had potentially identifying details

In a statement, the hospital said confidentiality and the privacy of its patients and their families "is of utmost importance."

"IWK Health does not provide any information regarding patients and their care, and does not confirm if a patient is receiving care on site or virtually," it said.

While the social media postdidn't name the patient, it included details that could be identifying.

The post has since received hundreds of shares, snowballingwith more theories and rumours.

Some parents have saidthey're considering not taking their children to the hospital as a result, which concerns the IWK.

"Patients and families should never delay or avoid receiving care at the IWK or any health institution at any time," said hospital spokesperson Nick Cox.

"The safety of our patients, families and staff is at the core of what we do."

Hospital outlines safety protocols

The internal memo to staff emphasizedthe COVID-19 protection proceduresin the hospitaland saidif a patient is diagnosed, contact tracing begins promptly.

Cox told CBC Newsthe hospital works closely with infection control experts. He also pointedout that patient appointments are intentionally staggered, so there's limited contact within the hospital.

Patients are required to remain physically distant in waiting rooms, sanitize their handsand wear masks in public spaces.

He could notsay if any staff were potentially exposed to COVID-19, citingprivacy reasons. However, Cox saidall staff wear personal protective equipment in clinical settings.

Public exposure warnings

Some people have questionedwhy Public Health has not sent out a possible exposure warning to the public, similar to what has been issued about somerestaurants and businesses in the province.

Brendan Elliott, a spokesperson for the provincial health authority, said public warnings are only made when officials can't locate or contact everyone who may be at risk of exposure to COVID-19.

"If Public Health believes there may be people who were exposed to COVID-19who investigators are not aware of, then a public advisory may be issued," he said.

At the IWK, Cox said he hopesaddressing the hospital's protocols willput patients and their families at ease.

"If you need care, come get your care,"he said. "You'll be receiving it in the safest place possible."