Question

Please help!

Claire is an LPN who works the night shift at ivy community Hospital. She has heard that A well known celebrity was admitted to this hospital. It has been on the news and all over the Internet. Speculation about The admission was rampant. This celebrity’s spokes person released a statement asking the public to respect the celebrities privacy indicating that no further information would be released at this time. Claire knows she does not have authorizationTo access this patient records and since she is not part of a team that is caring for the patient. But, it is the middle of the night, no one is around and claire thinks to herself, “ I can take just a peek at the records and will tell no one”. She does look at the patient’s record and what she finds is big news.

1. What are the ethical and legal implications in this case?
2. Claire could expect what type of legal action, if any?

Answer 1

1. It’s ethical and legally wrong. It is not her patient. She has no right to look at the patients medical records. She is breaking Hipaa laws.
2. She could be sued by the patient and most likely will lose her job and be fired from her employer.