Medical records of celebrities and HIPPA.

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by PegE

It's probably impossible to trace who leaks information most of the time.

Maybe, then again maybe not.


Many hospitals/healthcare facilities just as elsewhere have strict logging in functions regarding patient files. That is persons are allowed access to only parts of file where they need to be, the rest is off limits. That and or it is easy to see who has logged onto a patient's file and where they went.


In many places just logging into a file/accessing a place where one does not have legitimate reason to be or no authority at all is grounds for instant dismissal. You can also be written up and or terminated for physically being in an area that is out of bounds and or you have no legitimate reason.


Workers suspended for Clooney leak - NY Daily News


Privacy breach ends with 6 people fired at prestigious hospital


If you work in an "right to work" state then you're pretty much SOL if caught or even suspected. Unless you've got some sort of union protection.


In the North and places where nurses and other healthcare workers are often unionized and or there are stronger labor protections punishment can be less severe and or mitigated.


Hospital Workers Punished for Peeking at Clooney File - The New York Times


Bottom lie is hospitals/healthcare facilities and or providers have the strongest incentive to prevent and or root out HIPAA violations. Since lawsuits always name deep money pockets first, they are first in line to be sued into the ground, this regardless of what actions are taken by federal government.

[PegE]

So if there's a papertrail or a digital one most of the time someone is not doing the job of enforcing the privacy laws or at least we don't hear about it. Maybe if they reported the consequences fewer healthcare workers would violate the laws.

[BugsyPal]

Originally Posted by PegE

So if there's a papertrail or a digital one most of the time someone is not doing the job of enforcing the privacy laws or at least we don't hear about it. Maybe if they reported the consequences fewer healthcare workers would violate the laws.

Does every single business make public announcements each time an employee is disciplined? No, they don't so hospitals/healthcare is no different.


We hear about the more egregious cases that involve the rich/famous because, well because they are who they are. Other than that people are sat down, written up and or even terminated for violating HIPAA.


Also as noted above if there are unions involved and or various state laws regarding employee rights it can make getting rid of bad apples difficult.


Main union here in NYC, 1199 that covers UAPs and some nurses is notorious for going to bat for members unless literally caught red handed; and sometimes not even that is good enough.


Recently a male technician was arrested (and later pled guilty) to ID theft. The guy would access patient records and take SSNs, which he gave to his wife, she in turn either used them for ID theft or sold on black market. The guy was "terminated" at first from one NYC hospital (likely for being suspected and or caught accessing patient records illegally), but then moved to another union hospital, where he obviously continued plying his trade. Finally his arrest put an end to things.


This guy was employed to clean surgical instruments. Thus there was *NO* reason for him to be accessing patient files at all, much less nosing around personal data. Lenox Hill Hospital was (and or still is) using paper patient records, which as stated makes it easier for persons who shouldn't to gain access to patient information.



Hospital worker stole patient IDs in $300G scam: prosecutors - NY Daily News




Ex-hospital worker, wife stole records to fund Saks spree: authorities | New York Post


DA VANCE AND POLICE COMMISSIONER BRATTON ANNOUNCE CHARGES AGAINST ID THIEVES WHO PREYED ON LENOX HILL HOSPITAL PATIENTS | The New York County District Attorney's Office

[VLWH]

Originally Posted by PegE

So if there's a papertrail or a digital one most of the time someone is not doing the job of enforcing the privacy laws or at least we don't hear about it. Maybe if they reported the consequences fewer healthcare workers would violate the laws.

Most cases don't involve celebrities so you most likely would never hear about them. No with electronic health records every search in he system is traceable. Very stupid I thought guidelines are in place for who can access these records and workers have been disciplined for even looking up their own records.

[PegE]

Originally Posted by VLWH

Most cases don't involve celebrities so you most likely would never hear about them. No with electronic health records every search in he system is traceable. Very stupid I thought guidelines are in place for who can access these records and workers have been disciplined for even looking up their own records.

That's the thing about digital. Some people naively fail to realize it can be traceable.