Little Rock-based University of Arkansas Medical Sciences fired three employees after they were accused of sharing an HIV patient's protected health information, according to ozarksfirst.com.
Hospital officials told ozarksfirst.com an employee shared the medical records — including name, age, surgical history, HIV status and employment information — of an HIV patient with a coworker who then passed the records on to a friend. That friend, who does not appear to be affiliated with UAMS, proceeded to post the records on Facebook.
A third employee acted as a bystander. He or she knew about the incident but never spoke up, which violates UAMS' code of conduct.
"They know that this is something that they cannot do … They undergo lots of training and they know this is a fireable offense," Vice Chancellor of Communications and Marketing Leslie Taylor told ozarksfirst.com. "We took action right away."
UAMS is focusing on helping the patient whose privacy was breached, which includes sending the case to the U.S. Attorney's Office where federal officials will determine if charges will be filed against the three former employees.
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