Co-Workers Read My Medical Files

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Addiction/Detox.

I recently found out that several of my co-workers accessed and discussed my medical records via our computer system that we use at work (I am an RN in a large area hospital). What should I do? I am being treated as an employee and not as a patient whose privacy has been violated. I was told when I complained that this is a problem that is to be expected among co-workers because we are all "curious". I feel humiliated and violated. Any advice? :confused:

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Where I work, those co-workers would lose their jobs for violating HIPAA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIPAA

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That is a HUGE issue. The same thing happened at my facility and a long term employee (over 15 years) was terminated. I can't even access my own records let alone somebody else's. I wouldn't let this drop.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Addiction/Detox.

I have been told that they will be disciplined but not fired. Too many nurses have quit on our floor and they can't afford to lose anyone else.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I would file an official complaint to give you a paper trail. This is not to be tolerated.

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I never had any of my surgeries at the place I worked. I watched that same thing happen so many times over the years that I figured only way to avoid it was not to be admitted to the place I work.

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

What they did is in violation of a federal law, and as I understand, the hospital could be disciplined for allowing it to happen and not following up w/discipline of the nurses involved. What they did is wrong, with a capital "W" and administration is wrong to allow it to go unpunished!

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I would raise holy you-know-what...You better do it. File a complaint now. Sorry, this kind of behavior is illegal.

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This is outrageous ! They acted unprofessionally, moreover this is serious misconduct. In the NHS (we do not have computerised access to medical notes where I work, but we can retrieve notes manually) they would almost certainly be immediately suspended pending disciplinary action, and I imagine fired. You should definitely make a formal complaint and if you don't already belong to a union I suggest you join one. Good luck, these people are not nice work colleagues and if you're not supported I think you'd be better off finding a better work environment.:(

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That is a HUGE issue. The same thing happened at my facility and a long term employee (over 15 years) was terminated. I can't even access my own records let alone somebody else's. I wouldn't let this drop.

Goodness me, that's harsh discipline but maybe deserved:)

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I've seen employees fired instantly because of this. If you're not satisfied with how they're handling it (and I would not be), find out how to go about filing an official complaint with the government. The hospital will not treat a HIPAA violation so lightly in the future.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.
I've seen employees fired instantly because of this. If you're not satisfied with how they're handling it (and I would not be), find out how to go about filing an official complaint with the government. The hospital will not treat a HIPAA violation so lightly in the future.

Tazzi is right. And I don't care how "curious" they are. No one has the right to look at your private medical files without your expressed permission. Report them. If it was me and nothing was being done, i'd be on the phone with my lawyer.

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