Arkansas Blog

I think St. Vincents did the right thing here by firing these employees. As a nurse, I take the HIPPA and Patient Privacy laws very seriously. It is incredibly disrespectful to view patient's medical records/history if that patient is not under your direct care. It is even more disrespectful to view those records after the person has passed away.

Imagine the pain her parents must feel to know that some members of the hospital staff were viewing their beloved daughter's medical records for no other reason that to satisfy their morbid curiosity about a beautiful young woman who met a very tragic end.

That would be HIPAA, not HIPPA. But this is nothing new, hospital employees are always checking records that they are not supposed to be having access to...this was a major issue when I used to work at a local hospital 10 years ago...

This is "breaking news" why? Until her parents say exactly what happened concerning the events of her death, everything should be treated as a rumor. Only they know, as it should be.

I'm fascinated that the flack (former TV person, typical) would finally break down, likely through administrative orders after constant questioning from the media, and released the info that not only were six fired, but the reason that they were fired. I guess by not actually naming who was fired, then it could be couched to say "why" the were fired, and to address what obviously was a question the press wasn't going to let go away.

Funny, as pointed out above, that often the hospital employees will view records they're not supposed to see and spread gossip, but with this high-profile case it is brought to the higher-ups attention and the people fired.

Sadly, this invasion of privacy by hospital staffs happens all the time. Especially with "celebrities."

Even in major hospitals like Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles or Sloan-Kettering in New York, staff (usually minor-league) are routinely fired for leaking celebrities' confidential medical information to well-paying tabloids like the Enquirer. It's gone on for as long as I can remember.

I happened to have a patient in St. Vincent's ICU at the same time as Anne Pressly. ANOTHER local media celebrity whom I happen to know stopped by ICU's waiting room after visiting Anne's family. I innocently asked this person how Anne was doing, and suddenly got a piece of detailed medical information of an "event" that had just occurred, which I had no business knowing. Nor did this person, unless Anne's family had chosen to share it, for whatever reasons. But there was certainly no reason to share it with ME. "She's about the same," would have sufficed.

Had I been another kind of person than I am, I suppose I could have been on the phone in a minute trying to sell this bit of info.

Or, had I been a nurse intern who was offered $10,000 by that reality TV show for any medical info I could find, I suppose I could have bitten.

I'm all with Scottie. Fire 'em if and when they're caught. And make sure the reason stays on their record. If they'll do it once, they'll do it again. They need to find another profession.

What is failed to be discussed is the underlying reason these employees were called onto the carpet and fired. It's not just because they accessed her records. It's not because Anne was a local television celebrity. It's because they accessed the records of the victim of what may have been a random robbery/vicious attack who later died. Those selfish, nosy idiots learned important, intentionally non-released information and spread it among their friends and co-workers. The leaked information has possibly compromised a MURDER investigation because now everyone is talking about what no one should have known happened to her except 1. her family 2. her caregivers 3. the police and 4. the person who did it.

Why would anyone be so stupid as to hinder finding this criminal? As a single woman living alone, I am angered by everyone who helped spread the information ... those who accessed it, and those to talked about it.

So Norma...............Your a doctor?????????

No, Nanc. I just PLAY "Doctor."

I should have been clearer. I had a friend who was a patient in ICU at the same time as Ms. Pressly.