Week 1 Discussion 2: Confidentiality

1. Brittani Newhouse
WEEK 1 DISCUSSION 2: CONFIDENTIALITY

2. ISSUES: UCLA MEDICAL CENTER
• HIPAA violations; celebrity medical records-without a need-to-know
• Violations still occurred despite “crackdown” efforts
• 5 reports released; later reported 127 violations
• Leads to ethical issues regarding patient information

3. ACTIONS TAKEN
• State regulators placed blame on hospital
• Involved more than 120 employees
• Some issues were detected years ago
• Several firings, suspensions, and warnings
• Computer systems updated
• Notified patients whose information was breached
• Staff being trained on privacy and security

4. TRAINING IDEAS
• Educate employees about what is considered private information
• Make sure they are aware of the consequences
• Set local policies in addition to the HIPAA regulations
• Teach about what personal and sensitive information is
• Need-to-know; who has access to what and why
• Hold everyone accountable to protect patient information
• All violations must remain consistent
• Interactive training

5. EFFECTIVENESS
• Would perhaps help employees to better gauge their actions
• Have a better appreciation for the importance of confidentiality
• Engages employee interaction with management

6. REFERENCES
Fox News. (2008). Report: Over 120 UCLA Hospital
Staff Saw Celebrity Health Records. Retrieved
from Fox News:
foxnews.com/story/2008/08/06/report
Wolper, L.F. (2011). Health care
administration: Managing organized delivery
systems (5th ed.). Boston: Jones and Bartlett
.