In the Headlines
December 20, 2007

Clooney Privacy Breach a Clear HIPAA Violation

Plastic Surgery Practice Advisor
Shannon Hartsfield discusses an incident in which hospital employees violated HIPAA rules to look at George Clooney's medical records. The article is published in the December issue of Plastic Surgery Practice Advisor, a New England publication read by plastic surgeons who treat celebrity clients.

"This incident can serve as a reminder to covered entities to ensure their staff is trained in the entity's privacy and security policies and procedures," Hartsfield says. "Work force members should know that they should not access data except as necessary for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations purposes."

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