University Medical Center in Tucson has fired four employees for accessing confidential medical records of victims of the shooting involving Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz), according to a release by the hospital.
The fired employees were three support workers and a contract nurse. The hospital did not specify whose records were accessed but stated that the information had not been passed on to the public.
"The hospital has terminated three clinical support staff members this week for inappropriately accessing confidential electronic medical records, in accordance with UMC's zero tolerance policy on patient privacy violations," the hospital said in a statement.
"We are not aware of any confidential patient information being released publicly," the statement added. "The families of all patients whose information was accessed have been notified. Any potential breaches of patient privacy by UMC staff will be investigated and appropriately addressed."
Read the University Medical Center release on privacy.
Read more coverage of patient privacy:
-10 Hospitals and Health Systems That Reported Data Breaches in 2010
-5 Issues Affecting Hospital Employment
-University of Tennessee Medical Center Warns 8K Patients About Possible Data Breach
The fired employees were three support workers and a contract nurse. The hospital did not specify whose records were accessed but stated that the information had not been passed on to the public.
"The hospital has terminated three clinical support staff members this week for inappropriately accessing confidential electronic medical records, in accordance with UMC's zero tolerance policy on patient privacy violations," the hospital said in a statement.
"We are not aware of any confidential patient information being released publicly," the statement added. "The families of all patients whose information was accessed have been notified. Any potential breaches of patient privacy by UMC staff will be investigated and appropriately addressed."
Read the University Medical Center release on privacy.
Read more coverage of patient privacy:
-10 Hospitals and Health Systems That Reported Data Breaches in 2010
-5 Issues Affecting Hospital Employment
-University of Tennessee Medical Center Warns 8K Patients About Possible Data Breach