JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Shands-Jacksonville Medical Center fired 20 hospital workers, including nurses, admissions workers and patient relations staff, as a result of accessing the personal medical files of Jacksonville Jaguars football player Richard Collier.
Hospital officials maintain that the workers violated the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) policies by viewing Collier’s records. A spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said the hospital performed an audit on who accessed Collier’s medical file in the computer system.
Collier, 27, was admitted in the hospital on Sept. 2 after he was shot 14 times. While hospitalized, the football player and his family requested that the media, his team and the public respect his privacy.
While there is no indication that the staff leaked any of Collier’s information to the public, officials stand by their decision. However, a union representative for the employees said some of the individuals who were fired had legitimate reasons to access the records.
The union rep also added that former employees have the option of filing a wrongful termination lawsuit. Additionally, the union can appeal the firings.
For additional information:
- 20 Hospital Workers Fired for Viewing Collier’s Medical Records
- Union: Shands fires 20 for peek at Jaguar’s records
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