'At least 50' hospital employees fired over Jussie Smollett medical records access

americanthinker.com ^ | 3/9/2019 | Thomas Lifson

[rktman]

The consequences deriving from the allegedly false hate crime report of Jussie Smollett are vast. The expression "collateral damage" is appropriate.

Whatever his fate, now that he was written out of his part on a TV show and indicted for 16 felony counts related to his allegedly false reporting of a hate crime, dozens of other people are suffering career catastrophes derived from the scandal's aftermath.

At least 50 employees may have been fired from Northwestern Memorial Hospital for accessing the medical profile and records of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett without authorization, sources with knowledge of the situation said.

One of those employees — identified simply as Susan, to protect her identity — said that with one click of her mouse, she was fired from her job as a surgical nurse last week.

[SaxxonWoods]

Too bad these medical laws don’t stop people like all the gun laws do...

/s

[Steely Tom]

Fine with me. Good riddance.

[guyman]

I am amazed at the boundless vacuousness of millennial brains. First , understand that Juicy Smell it was is and will remain a nobody.I had never seen him and I never want to see him again. Here you have 50 hospital employees with so little to do that they roam medical record of patients at will to occupy their little empty brains. What were they looking for? I can’t even make that up.

[Steely Tom]

Mandatory briefings, papers to sign. Nobody is unaware.

I'm sure Hillary Clinton got mandatory briefings and papers to sign too, as related to classified information in her possession.

Didn't mean she wasn't "unaware."

[The Antiyuppie]

“ HIPPA is drilled into the heads of everybody in the healthcare industry, and EVERY inquiry is logged... dumbfks all”

How could they NOT know this? Well, it seems like it turned out well, because it exposed all of the stupid people at the hospital, and they were removed easily with cause. No doubt, the quality of care will go up.

[rktman]

One thing I learned in the Navy and subsequent employment......if it ain't my business, it ain't my business. 🖥☠

[Chode]

100%

[goodnesswins]

Seems if they are dumb enough to go snooping after all the warnings...THEY ARE TOO STUPID TO WORK IN MEDICAL INDUSTRY. GOOD RIDDANCE.

[Jacquerie]

For once, I’d like to read a news report without the irksome term, “allege.”

[VanDeKoik]

This is what I’m thinking!

Medical records are NOT recreational reading for staff. That is a data breach at the same level of severity an outside hacker.

[stagline]

They might do what my local hospital did some year back and that is bring in a plane load of third world nurses.

[steve86]

“Don’t believe me?
Post an ad for 50 open nursing positions, at the same pay rate.
You’ll get 5,000 applications”

Certainly not the case here even with two nursing schools and some of the highest wages around.

[Chode]

i wonder if they think it was worth it?

[x]

Curiosity killed the cat but in this case 50 peoples careers.

You could call this the "Age of Curiosity" (or the "Age of Discovery," but I think that one is already taken).

There is so much information out there available on line about people - about everybody - that looking for it is natural and understandable and seems to be wholly innocent.

But there are limits in workplaces and it's hard for some people to curb their relentless curiosity when they're on the job.

This also the "Age of Leaving a Trail" and sooner or later the authorities catch up with the curious.

[proud2beconservativeinNJ]

I'm sure Hillary Clinton got mandatory briefings and papers to sign too, as related to classified information in her possession.

I sure wish Hillary was held to the same standard for violating rules of privacy, information protection and confidentiality.

[AppyPappy]

That’s exactly what will happen

[Mastador1]

What oath might that be? HIPPA sets rules that healthcare workers must follow but there is no oath. Are you aware that front office workers in doctors offices actually violate HIPPA rules numerous times every day when they discuss patient information within earshot of other patients in the waiting room?

The hospital is at fault also for allowing patient files to be freely accessed by so many unauthorized employees. I think firing employees that didn't actually access his chart and disseminate the information to others is a bit harsh and most likely no one would have been fired or reprimanded if the person in question was, say a prominent or famous Conservative.

[4yearlurker]

I wonder how many of the employees were getting paid to dig for info. I'm sure tabloids,newspapers,magazines,etc. would love this info.

[zeebee]

It’s HIPAA not hippa

Two A’s

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

[redshawk]

“What a terrible waste of medical talent, productivity and manpower!
How stupid to fire them......why not just a discipline?”

---

Surgical nurse violates HIPPA. Sounds like a good career has been destroyed. Certainly the licensing board will discipline her. She could possibly lose her license. I’m always dumbfounded by educated professional people and the stupid things they do to destroy their careers.