I don\’t understand. If he didn\’t post her name or address then how did the reporters know where she lived? Sounds like we\’re not getting the whole story.
for the article (in it\’s whole form from The Seattle Times) There are a number of other posts all reading the same – The reported information is so vague, who can tell what was really reported !
The Times said it was the \”approximate\” location – no name – no other details… While tragic that she was a victem of a crime – I don\’t see how anything I\’ve been able to find violated her \”right to privacy\” – As for the other comment regarding \”Patient/Doctor Confidentiality\” no specifics were given – I can\’t see how this comes into play
With the possible exception of B I think all of you are wrong – at least from the story we have here in IJ.
Whatever info the EMT put on MySpace was enough to lead reporters to her door & let the neighborhood know what happened. It went from the neighborhood knowing that there were emergency vehicles at her place to knowing she had been raped.
The EMT might have had good intentions but (I think) was grossly stupid in putting ANYTHING about ANY of his patients out on the web for everyone to see from anywhere in the world.
Someone commented that the reporters probably linked his vague description of the location and the police blotter – well then the EMT is guilty of providing the first step on the ladder.
Sounds like a good negligence case to me, potentially has HIPAA written all over it and I never want to ride in this guy\’s ambulance for fear someone else will know I\’ve been given medical attention for XXXXX.
Do you guys see my point? Now everyone in the area knows she was raped & for a rape victim that is very hard to deal with.
I\’m just an underwriter and despise most lawyers as much as everyone else here. I\’m also glad I\’m not writing the cover for this ambulance firm.
?,
Just for clarity, I wasn\’t suggesting there is confidentiality in this case, I just wasn\’t sure if there were confidentiality rules / guidelines for health care professionals other than doctors.
I agree that HIPPA is the central issue; the EMT has a duty to treat his work with confidentiality; and that is where the harm was done. But the one thing that bugs me is how the media could make this into something that is newsworthy…more like being noseybodies…but what do you expect when the American public has no sense of taste, let alone decency?
I disagree with Kevin. You inferred alot about what happened that the article did not specifically say. One thing, the true origination of the leak of her address. If you read the article carefully, only the victim BELIEVES his posting caused the reporters to find her. Based on what his posting said, that would be a stretch since he did not mention names or addresses. I still stand by my original post that the rape was a terrible crime perpetrated on this woman and no one should ever have to go through that, but, for her to say she was traumatized by his posting is pushing the limits of reality.
You cite HIPAA, but I still do not see how EMR is responsible for this employee doing something OUTSIDE of his employment, training or not. Perhaps a more generic warning would have been in order, but the fact remains that it was OUTSIDE his employment duties.
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I don\’t understand. If he didn\’t post her name or address then how did the reporters know where she lived? Sounds like we\’re not getting the whole story.
The police log probably diclosed the location and description of the crime and the reporters went there asking questions.
Goto:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003686508_webrapesuit29.html
for the article (in it\’s whole form from The Seattle Times) There are a number of other posts all reading the same – The reported information is so vague, who can tell what was really reported !
The Times said it was the \”approximate\” location – no name – no other details… While tragic that she was a victem of a crime – I don\’t see how anything I\’ve been able to find violated her \”right to privacy\” – As for the other comment regarding \”Patient/Doctor Confidentiality\” no specifics were given – I can\’t see how this comes into play
So how is AMR repsonible for a post in an employee\’s off time? Appears that good intentions are not going unpunished.
With the possible exception of B I think all of you are wrong – at least from the story we have here in IJ.
Whatever info the EMT put on MySpace was enough to lead reporters to her door & let the neighborhood know what happened. It went from the neighborhood knowing that there were emergency vehicles at her place to knowing she had been raped.
The EMT might have had good intentions but (I think) was grossly stupid in putting ANYTHING about ANY of his patients out on the web for everyone to see from anywhere in the world.
Someone commented that the reporters probably linked his vague description of the location and the police blotter – well then the EMT is guilty of providing the first step on the ladder.
Sounds like a good negligence case to me, potentially has HIPAA written all over it and I never want to ride in this guy\’s ambulance for fear someone else will know I\’ve been given medical attention for XXXXX.
Do you guys see my point? Now everyone in the area knows she was raped & for a rape victim that is very hard to deal with.
I\’m just an underwriter and despise most lawyers as much as everyone else here. I\’m also glad I\’m not writing the cover for this ambulance firm.
?,
Just for clarity, I wasn\’t suggesting there is confidentiality in this case, I just wasn\’t sure if there were confidentiality rules / guidelines for health care professionals other than doctors.
I agree that HIPPA is the central issue; the EMT has a duty to treat his work with confidentiality; and that is where the harm was done. But the one thing that bugs me is how the media could make this into something that is newsworthy…more like being noseybodies…but what do you expect when the American public has no sense of taste, let alone decency?
I thought HIPAA didn\’t apply to EMS personnel.
Can anyone verify?
I disagree with Kevin. You inferred alot about what happened that the article did not specifically say. One thing, the true origination of the leak of her address. If you read the article carefully, only the victim BELIEVES his posting caused the reporters to find her. Based on what his posting said, that would be a stretch since he did not mention names or addresses. I still stand by my original post that the rape was a terrible crime perpetrated on this woman and no one should ever have to go through that, but, for her to say she was traumatized by his posting is pushing the limits of reality.
You cite HIPAA, but I still do not see how EMR is responsible for this employee doing something OUTSIDE of his employment, training or not. Perhaps a more generic warning would have been in order, but the fact remains that it was OUTSIDE his employment duties.