Estonian hospital sends patient home with other peoples’ health data

According to ERR News, a patient who underwent X-ray imaging at West Tallinn Central Hospital (LTKH) was sent home with a USB drive that also contained the personal and health data of other patients. The incident arose after the patient was advised to save the X-ray images on a USB drive to avoid travelling between hospitals, and they subsequently purchased a new drive from the hospital.

When the patient reviewed the data at home, they found not only their own information but also the health data of several other individuals. The hospital has been unable to explain how the other patients’ data ended up on the drive and states that an investigation cannot occur until the patient files a formal complaint. The report highlights concerns about data handling at the facility and underscores the need for a formal inquiry to determine how such a mix-up could have occurred.