Four hospital staff fired for leaking medical records

[malaise]

of shooting victims. One was a contract nurse. Capitalism has gone mad - there is no integrity left.

[Lance_Boyle]

1. Fired? Aren't there legal repercussions for HIPAA violations? n/t

[derby378]

2. Possibly...

As one who used to handle sensitive HIPAA documents, we knew the importance of protecting patient privacy, especially from headhunters sent by insurance companies and unsrupulous journalists.

[Sgent]

3. The hospital could be fined

but the individuals usually wouldn't be fined/jailed (although its possible).

It is probable that the nurse will face license revocation / suspension however.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. That is why they were fired

it is full CYA mode.

As a former EMS worker, I still watch what I say about cases I handled... and it's been decades.

[Cerridwen]

5. "The *love* of money is the root of all evil." n/t

[DrDan]

6. how was money involved? No link to the story so not aware of any details.

[Cerridwen]

8. I was responding to the OP's "capitalism gone mad" comment. n/t

[lpbk2713]

7. The FBI was involved in the investigation.

Everyone that was a party to it had to be sure to dot their 'i's and cross their 't's.

[Seedersandleechers]

9. Total breach of HIPPA laws and an ethics violation...

While working on a med surg floor a few years back the hospital CEO asked me how his neighbor in room 320 was doing? I told him point blank, sorry, I can't give you any information.

[stray cat]

10. Maybe they can post the medical and police and court records on wikileaks?

[BlueIris]

11. Hopefully firings like this will continue. HIPPA needs to be taken seriously.

No one takes it seriously in my neck of the woods. At all. If firings were more publicized, maybe we'd start seeing some respect for federal law.