Minneapolis-based Allina Hospitals and Clinics has fired 32 employees after they improperly used electronic medical records to access information for 11 patients hospitalized in a massive drug overdose, according to a Star Tribune report.
The system fired 28 employees at Unity Hospital in Fridley, Minn., and four at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minn.
Allina spokesperson David Kanihan said an investigation found the employees had accessed the EMRs of certain patients without legitimate medical reasons, according to the report. Eleven people were hospitalized and one died after overdosing on a synthetic drug at a March 17 party.
Due to the high-profile nature of the case, Allina conducted a review and tracked who had opened the patients' EMRs. Mr. Kanihan would only say the employees fired worked in patient care, according to the report.
Read the Star Tribune report on Allina Hospitals and EMRs.
Related Articles on Patient Privacy:
Minnesota's Fairview Southdale Hospital Missing 1,200 Patient Records
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The system fired 28 employees at Unity Hospital in Fridley, Minn., and four at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minn.
Allina spokesperson David Kanihan said an investigation found the employees had accessed the EMRs of certain patients without legitimate medical reasons, according to the report. Eleven people were hospitalized and one died after overdosing on a synthetic drug at a March 17 party.
Due to the high-profile nature of the case, Allina conducted a review and tracked who had opened the patients' EMRs. Mr. Kanihan would only say the employees fired worked in patient care, according to the report.
Read the Star Tribune report on Allina Hospitals and EMRs.
Related Articles on Patient Privacy:
Minnesota's Fairview Southdale Hospital Missing 1,200 Patient Records
Data Security Complicates Privacy, Access to Medical Records
Survey: Half of Patients View EHRs in Negative Light