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A medical student at Wellington Regional Hospital arranged for his roommate to see heart surgery, but did not tell the hospital they were not studying medicine and the hospital never verified his identity, according to a review.
Wellington Regional Hospital. Source: RNZ / Dom Thomas
The man watched the entire surgery before doctors realized they were not doctors in training, but apprentice builders.
A serious review of events by the Capital and Coast district board of health shows that a doctor-in-training made an arrangement with the hospital for his housemate to see surgery.
Last year, the medical student had texted the hospital secretary about “an aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon” who was eager to observe surgery.
The hospital assumed the man was a medical student and never verified his identity. The person received the magnetic card from his roommate that gave him access to the theaters of the hospital. Loaning this card was found to violate the student’s agreement when the medical school issued the card.
The registrar introduced the man as a medical student.
The gap was only discovered at the end of the surgery, when a doctor asked the observer about his future plans after graduating from medical school.
Dr. A: “Are you interested in cardiothoracic surgery? How is your suturing skills?”
Observer: “Not very well.”
Dr. A: “When is your final exam, where are you next year?”
Observer: “I am not a medical student, I hope to start in three years. I am an apprentice builder.”
Dr. A: “I didn’t realize you are not a medical student! Maybe it is better not to tell anyone that you came today. We usually follow a slightly different process for people who are not medical students!”
Observer: “Hey, sorry. I thought [the trainee doctor] may have mentioned it. I’ll keep it to myself. “
The matter escalated rapidly, and within an hour and a half the executive director and medical director of the board of health, and then the dean of the University of Otago School of Medicine, were informed.
The privacy commissioner was informed and the patient was apologized.
The investigation found that the DHB lacked a formal verification of the identities of medical students with their ID cards, and a formal process has now started.
“We have apologized to the patient and his family, and we look forward to this opportunity to do so again,” said Medical Director John Tait.
“We take patient privacy very seriously, and this unacceptable breach in our security protocols could have been exploited. Our systems have failed the patient and their family in this case.”
A University of Otago medical student has been banned from the Capital and Coast and Hutt DHB facilities.
“The ‘observer’ did not participate in the surgery nor did he have any contact with the patient. Discussions about the future of the student continue between the DHB, the university and the Medical Council,” the DHB said.
“This was a clear breach of the Code of Conduct that students sign when initiating a placement, and a betrayal of the trust we have in them to put the safety of patients first at all times.
“We are deeply disappointed in the actions and behavior of this student, which have impacted the patient and his family, as well as our staff.”
The police were informed and decided not to take further action.
