Should I complain after a nurse shared my 16-year-old's medical details?

[Midglet]

My 16yr old had an incident this week that required medical intervention. They didn’t want people, even immediate family and close relatives, to know until they had underwent the operation and we respected those wishes. However a theatre nurse recognised their name and before my child was even under anaesthetic, the nurse had texted a distant relative of ours and divulged that not only was our child in for an operation , but the nature of such. The child was in theatre for four hours but within twenty mins of them being taken in the distant relative , who doesn’t have our mobile numbers, then started calling the hospital demanding details of our child’s prognosis and treatment. Thankfully we had been tipped off very quickly as the relative started contacting other family members ( who themselves weren’t aware of the situation until they themselves contacted us to see what was happening) and were able to request staff to refrain from divulging such. After several failed attempts the relative then turned up at the hospital and demanded access to our child, by which point they were out of surgery. The ward staff asked our 16 yr old ( with us present) if they would like the relative to gain access and our child immediately burst into tears with the thought …the relative is particularly difficult at the best of times and the children try to avoid all contact by their own choice . Thankfully again the staff were able to refuse the relative entry into the ward (Although our child is 16 and should have been in the adult wards a lack of beds had resulted in them being housed in the children’s ward with better security) . Anyway I am sitting stewing about the actions of this initial theatre nurse divulging private medical information to a third party . I know this is a huge breach of confidence and I hope such would be a disciplinary if I was to raise a complaint but I don’t know if I should . The nurse is a friend of the relative hence why she reached out and my family are divided as whether to take action as it will cause trouble within the wider family. Hubby thinks I should just forget it to keep the peace but I think the theatre nurse should be made aware her actions were totally unacceptable. I’ve never complained about anything before . Your thoughts would be appreciated !

Why are you even questioning this of course you report it

As others have said, it absolutely should be reported, and I would also ask them to confirm that they’ve reported the data breach to the information commissioner.

Good.

Yes the nurse was gossiping to her buddy, at best. Massive breach of confidentiality at worst. I'd be steaming mad. Don't just sit there "stewing". Report her.

And the relative turning up, what the hell? I'd be throwing him / her out on their ear.

The nurse is a friend of the relative hence why she reached out and my family are divided as whether to take action as it will cause trouble within the wider family. Hubby thinks I should just forget it to keep the peace

The nurse and family member caused the trouble in the family, NOT the reporting of it.

I would be incandescent with rage if i were you. I don’t understand your dh’s view. Even if your dc had been ambivalent about others knowing, the nurse still did not have the right to tell people.

However, it was your DC’s confidentially that was breached so speak to them and explain both sides. Let them know you have their back against the relative and any consequences on the nurse if they want to complain but if the nurse loses their job over this that’s on them not on you or your dc.

It is odd that a distant relative felt so entitled to info and access so I’m guessing there is more to the family dynamics but, as nosy as I am, I understand you probably don’t want to reveal even more on a public forum.

Yes, contact PaLS to complain and make it clear you want to make a formal complaint and for it to be investigated fully (and not for the nurses manager to look into it appologise (this is often their first step)).

Two examples that might make you realise how seriously this is taken:

1. I worked as a nurse in an audit function. I collected data about patients as they went through the health system. It involved reading their notes for diagnosis and collecting physiological data. On one occasion I recognised the name of a patient on my list and realised that I knew them from another setting. On another, I realised a patient was a distant relative (think cousins by marriage, twice removed, etc). In both cases I went to the matron, disclosed that connection and asked if it was appropriate for me to collect their data.
2. My DM was sectioned. All the patients were very ill. One day a ward manager approached us to say that they needed to officially apologise because there had been a data breach. Two nurses were discussing DM's care and they hadn't realised that a patient had walked nearby. The patient was very unwell and was in no state to use the information in any way, but they still reported it as a breach and made a formal apology to us as DM's representatives.

You must report. This was a complete breach of patient confidentiality. Don't hesitate to report it.

@Thewindsofchange I think it’s the first time I’ve read the phrase “I would be incandescent with rage” on here and thought that’s not an overreaction

You have no peace with this two people so no keeping the peace

nothing to loose

I agree with everyone else that has said, "Please report". Not only for your DD's sake but for the sake of this nurse's next victim.

There are many many reasons why patient confidentiality is important. What if this nurse told someone about a patient in their for ER/surgery after being beaten half to death? Then they told someone and that person had been the abuser who comes to the hospital to finish the job? Or an abusive parent with a custody dispute?

That nurse should lose her job. Look at the mess she did to your DD and all of you? No one else deserves that.

Keep the peace? No, knickers to that! Would hubby feel like same way if it was his details that were being broadcast around the family? Particularly if it was prostate or vasectomy related? Highly doubt it! Definitely complain serious breach of confidentiality.

Absolutely complain. This is gross misconduct . Is this person a registered nurse?? Because confidentiality is drummed in from day 1. Please speak to the ward manager or better still the matron . I am sorry but this person needs to be struck off or if not a registered nurse they should be sacked

Absolutely complain. Let the chips fall where they may. Your child needs to know you've got their back.

This is totally unprofessional from the nurse and they are likely to get a written warning following your complaint. Do it to protect others, not just your child.

The only reason I would not report was if the 16yo asked me not to, but even then I'd be persuading her that she needed to.
That nurse has no business sharing information and should be disciplined.

Thats a huge breach of GDRP and confidentiality I would absolutely complain. This is completely wrong and the nurse should have to deal with the consequences. Not only that her actions caused unnecessary drama and your daughter was upset by it all whilst recovering from a procedure. You should definitely take this further

As an NHS worker myself I would report. She has completely crossed a line.

Your poor child.
Of course you should.
Make a formal complaint.
Contact Pals.
Get the complaints procedure and kick up such a stink.
Spell out your childs huge distress.
This is really shocking.

Breaching your child's confidentiality resulted in upset and emotional pain for your child. Breaching some other patients confidentiality could result in violence or death (imagine if there was a dv situation). You owe it to your child and to this person's future patients to report this. Patient confidentiality is a fundamental part of patient care and if there is fallout in your family, your child will know that you will always put them first, and you prioritise them above family drama.

100% complain. I wouldn’t consider any other alternative. Your poor 16 year old had to be bothered before surgery to block this person from accessing the ward, they did not need that.

Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in medicine.

I'm absolutely shocked and yes, you must complain. You were able to control it but she is probably doing it all over the shop. If she doesn't want complaints, don't break the rules.

My phone auto corrected the bad grammar, it makes my eyes hurt to read ‘should of , would of , could of on here all the time ‘.

Come on, you know you’re seething inside about that mistake 😂

This is an appalling breach of confidentiality.

You should report it and the theatre nurse should lose their job!!