16 fired for HIPAA Violations

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 27, 2009

Well, the resident had just as much of a right to her privacy as any other patient receiving service at that facility. It is unfortunate, but I believe this happens more often when we would like to think.

citylights89, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2009

Oh boy, not Ben Taub! The perils of a county hospital. I remember when my mom used to work there in the lab when I was little and the people there can be kinda ???? and that was just for a few months before she left. In nursing school and from the general public I've heard some things about them, none that I have seen with my own eyes though because I haven't started clinicals there. Its sad that everyone and their mama had to look at the gal's records. Come on now, ya'll know better! Did they not learn ANYTHING about HIPAA? At least they're an excellent trauma center...they'll just read your records.

Batman24 · Nov 28, 2009

I feel not one drop of sympathy for them. They knew what they were doing was wrong and did it anyway. They deserved to be fired.

RN4JC · Nov 28, 2009

Considering we are not even allowed to look at our OWN medical records, what made them think they could look at someone elses? I think if they were that "concerned" they should have visited her. Curiosity killed the cat...there is a reason those old sayings are around.........

manncer · Nov 29, 2009

I don't know...it seems way too extreme a punishment, for something that goes on all the time. I think a pay period without pay and extensive re-education would do more good.

.:lvan:

Mulan · Nov 29, 2009

I wonder what their chances will be at finding another job.

samswim4 · Nov 29, 2009

I don't know...it seems way too extreme a punishment, for something that goes on all the time. I think a pay period without pay and extensive re-education would do more good.
.:lvan:

Well, the reason it goes on all the time is because actions like this are not being taken! It is AGAINST THE LAW to look at patient records of whom you are not taking care of. How would you like it, if you as a nursing student, had to be hospitalized and all of your classmates looked at your records during their clinicals?! Not cool!

elkpark · Nov 29, 2009

I don't know...it seems way too extreme a punishment, for something that goes on all the time. I think a pay period without pay and extensive re-education would do more good.
.:lvan:

The point of the law and policies is to stop this going on "all the time." They're getting off easy getting fired. If the Feds get involved, it could be a big fine and/or prison time.

Daly City RN · Nov 29, 2009

>>>>>>>>>>>

This should serve a warning to all. Whenever you log in to your hospital's computer, you WILL leave an electronic "fingerprint".

A few clicks of a button and your superiors will know who accessed whose medical record.

If you are not directly involved in the care of a patient, then you have no business peering into that patient's medical records, period.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

nightnursecarol · Nov 30, 2009

Staff including doctors fired over HIPAA violations in Houston.
TV news: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7137559
Newspaper:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/hotstories/6738856.html

Isn't it interesting that they fired "nurses, managers, and clerks", but conveniently failed to mention doctors??? Let's be real here, this happens all the time, but the firing took place, because it is a doctor. I'm sure the majority of those who broke the hippa regulation were her direct colleagues and friends. In other words, DOCTORS, but none was fired. Go figure.

AnnieNHRN · Dec 1, 2009

They did fire doctors.

"All 16 have been fired and they range from doctors to supervisors to staff nurses, not only at Ben Taub, but across the entire hospital district."

I should print this at work and see if this will stop all the people looking up "Auntie's bloodwork" or "Oh, look who's in the ER again" etc. They should know they're job is on the line.