Case Study: As one JMO discovers celebrity gossip is for the tabloids

A JMO was asked to attend the morgue to certify a patient as deceased. On arrival, the JMO was given the patient's medical records. The JMO noted that the patient was a well known politician. The morgue attendant told the JMO that the patient's body had a few 'unusual features'. He then ushered the JMO towards the bed on which the body had been placed. The JMO removed the sheet from the patient's body. He was rather shocked to see some unusual body piercings and tattoos on the politician's genitalia. He quickly performed an assessment and death certification.

On returning to the wards, the JMO joined in a discussion with some of the nurses and other hospital staff about the politician. The JMO disclosed the fact that he had just examined the patient's body and outlined in graphic detail the nature of the tattoos and body piercings. At a party later that evening, the JMO became involved in a further discussion about the politician.

The next day, the JMO was paged to attend the Medical Superintendent's office. A journalist had just contacted the Superintendent to ask for confirmation of rumours of 'certain irregular features' on the politician's body. The JMO was horrified that the information had been provided to the press. The Superintendent said that the patient's family had already been contacted by the journalist and they were extremely angry about the breach of confidentiality.

Medical practitioners owe a duty of confidentiality to all of their patients and this duty continues even after the death of a patient. JMOs should take care to avoid any 'gossip' or disclosure of information that they obtain about patients during the course of their work.

These case histories are based on actual medical negligence claims, however certain facts have been omitted or changed by the author to ensure the anonymity of the parties involved.

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