Loyrirk Temiyakarn MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Harris L. Cohen MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Asim F. Choudhri MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Obstetric ultrasound images posted on publicly accessible websites often result in inadvertent disclosure of protected health information. Radiologists are well positioned to educate patients on taking charge of their own information security.

With the increasing availability of high quality camera phones and mobile devices, patients now have greater access to their own imaging and ability to capture screenshots at the point of care. A particularly common scenario is the new mother who uses a mobile device to obtain an image of her obstetric (OB) ultrasound and then directly posts the images to a public website or forum. The oft-overlooked concern is the public posting of protected health information, now publicly available for any would-be identity thief to take.

A consecutive series of OB ultrasound images were acquired from a publicly accessible website and analyzed using several criteria, including method of image capture, visibility of patient name, date of birth, imaging institution, date of exam, time of exam, estimated due date, and whether any attempt was made to obscure such data. A large percentage of images sampled were found to include protected health information in some form, such that a savvy individual could harvest enough personal information to perpetrate identity theft.

Many patients may not realize or even care about the implications their simple image post may have. While patients are ultimately responsible for their own information security, we as radiologists are uniquely positioned to educate patients on simple measures they can take to prevent inadvertent posting of protected health information, such as proper framing, cropping, and photo editing.

Temiyakarn, L, Cohen, H, Choudhri, A, Protected Health Information on Posted Obstetric Ultrasound Images: An Analysis of Information Security among Patients.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13044486.html