Health Information Management

HIPAA takes its toll in Iowa

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, August 25, 2008

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The Des Moines Register reported August 17 that the number of medical staff members fired from Iowa healthcare facilities on privacy breach charges is rising. Here are some of the numbers:
  • Three employees were involved in HIV- and drug-related breaches, including one medical records coordinator who required a patient to authorize the release of his or her HIV status.
  • Seven hospital workers were responsible for breaches fueled by curiosity and personal use. One woman told other workers in her clinic that their office manager was receiving psychiatric care.
  • Two staff members made careless mistakes, such as sending mail intended for one patient to another, that resulted in breaches..
In all cases, the staff members were terminated as a result of their HIPAA violations.
 
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