Fla. hospital fires two for copying records
A Florida hospital has fired two employees who printed patient facesheets unrelated to their job duties.
Florida Hospital in Orlando informed patients that their personal information including patient names, addresses, Social Security numbers, phone numbers, emergency contact information, health insurance information, physician names and diagnoses
Florida Hospital learned of the incident May 2, 2014, but "because giving you notice could have impeded law enforcement's investigation, at their instruction, we were under a 'law enforcement hold' and unable to notify you until now," according to a statement.
"Rest assured, we investigated the matter internally and have taken measures to ensure this type of incident does not occur again by continuing to enhance security safeguards and reinforcing education with our staff on the importance of handling patient information," according to the notification on the hospital's website.
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.