Confidential Queensland hospital patient information found by passer-by

A passer-by found confidential patient information belonging to a south-east Queensland hospital, prompting Queensland Health to launch an investigation.

The handwritten patient handover notes, made by Redcliffe Hospital staff, have been handed back and health officials believe the finder was the only person to see the confidential information.

A Redcliffe Hospital spokeswoman emphasised the notes that were found were not copies of patient clinical records.

"We have made contact, or attempted to make contact, with the patients whose information was included in the notes," the spokeswoman said in a statement.

"We enforce strict guidelines in relation to the storage, review and disposal of clinical documents, in
accordance with legislation, and we are taking this matter very seriously.