Identitàgate: Healthcare staff ordered to double check patient identity

Public healthcare institutions have been issued instructions for proper patient identification in the wake of several cases of identity fraud that were flagged recently.

The circular disseminated today to all staff employed with the government health services says patients’ identity must be confirmed using at least two key parameters before any changes are made to health records.

Compliance with the guidelines is mandatory and failure to observe them may result in disciplinary action being taken.

The circular was released by the Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry and instructs healthcare staff to get patients to state their details rather than simply confirming them.

“When confirming identity, engage the patient by asking them to state, not just confirm, their information (e.g., ‘Can you please tell me your date of birth?’ instead of ‘Is your date of birth [x]?’). This practice reduces the risk of errors due to miscommunication or assumptions,” the circular reads.

In the case of children, the elderly or non-verbal patients, identification must be confirmed with a responsible guardian or next of kin.

The development comes in the wake of a sprawling scandal that has rocked the foundations of Malta’s official identity management system.

The scandal kicked off with allegations of corruption at Identità in the issuance of residency permits and ID cards for non-EU nationals. Subsequently, cases of identity theft were flagged by unsuspecting Maltese nationals who found out that their personal details, including ID card number, were used by unknown individuals to gain access to the public health service.

In one glaring case, a Maltese patient who required care was informed that according to hospital records they had died in March. In other instances, people received hospital appointments for treatments they never undertook, implying that patient records at Mater Dei Hospital were incorrect.

READ ALSO: Identitàgate | Stolen identities, bribery and debauchery

The circular issued on Tuesday states that “accurate patient identification is critical for ensuring that the patients receive the correct treatment, medical care while minimising errors and safeguarding patient data”.

The instructions apply “to every point of contact” including registration, consultation, test diagnostics and treatment.

Staff have also been instructed to document and immediately flag any problems that may arise during the identification process.

“If the system flags potential duplicates, incomplete data, or conflicting information, immediately pause the process and verify the patients’ details through additional measures, such as asking the patient for another form of identification, consulting the Patient Master Index, or confirming with family members or caregivers, where appropriate,” the circular states.

Staff are obliged to ask for official documents that are current when attending health institutions. The documents listed are ID cards, residence permits, diplomat and special ID documents, driving licence and passport.

Former MP Jason Azzopardi who first lifted the lid on Identitàgate and who has obtained a magisterial inquiry into the case, commented on Facebook that the circular was proof of abuse.

“This is proof that there are some who stole our identity to use Mater Dei and the health services… It is true that foreigners, aided by the corrupt at Identity Malta have used us,” Azzopardi wrote, calling on Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela to resign and accusing the Prime Minister of lying.

On Sunday, Robert Abela slammed what he described as “baseless” attacks on ministers Byron Camilleri – responsible for Identità and LESA, the local enforcement agency at the centre of another scandal – and Jo Etienne Abela.

READ ALSO: Electoral Commission concerned over impact of Identità scandal on electoral register

Identità urges government, private entities to follow Health Ministry's footsteps

Later on Tuesday, Identità issued a statement welcoming the Health Ministry's orders to confirm patient identities. 

The agency appealed to other private and governmental entities to take up the same practices. Identità said that regulators should also ensure that private operators under their remit obey all regulations, including data protection regulations.