Ex-patient sues hospital, says workers posted her medical records on Facebook shaming page
A former patient has sued the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, contending that hospital workers posted her medical records on a Facebook page after she was diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease.
The unidentified plaintiff says two hospital workers were persuaded by her ex-boyfriend to release her medical records, in violation of federal and state law, reports WLWT.
Posted by a Facebook group called “Team No Hoes,” the medical records, which included the plaintiff’s syphilis diagnosis, were followed by comments that referred to the woman as a “hoe” and a “slut,” said her lawyer, Mike Allen.
“She doesn’t want to go out. She doesn’t want to talk to people. People who were formerly her friends have made fun of her for it,” Allen said. “She’s chastised in the community and all of this could’ve been avoided if UC Med Center had proper protections in place.”
Filed Tuesday, the Hamilton County, Ohio, action seeks damages and improved hospital procedures for protecting confidential patient information.
A hospital spokeswoman says it has not yet seen the suit but will investigate. She said the medical center has a policy of not commenting specifically on pending litigation.
