Allergy associates Hartford is a Connecticut healthcare provider that majors in treating patients with allergies. They disclosed a patient’s health data to a TV reporter without consent. The patient had previously tried to seek medical services from the institution but was turned away since she had a service dog. After the incident, she contacted a local tv station to air her complaints. The reporter contacted the facility to verify and acquire information about the event. Upon reaching a physician at the hospital, the physician disclosed protected information about the patient.

An investigation was carried out by the office of civil rights (OCR) on the issue. They found out that the physician had been advised not to comment to the reporter. However, the doctor chose to talk to the reporter and at the same time disclose the patient’s information. The OCR found out that impermissible disclosure of patient health information had taken place which was a violation of HIPAA privacy rules (45 C.F.R. § 164.502(a)). The institution also failed to sanction the physician for the breach of the policy which is also a breach of the practices privacy policies.

The doctor reacted to a complaint unethically by disclosing the patient’s information. The institution was subjected to a fine of $125,000 and a two year OCR HIPAA rules compliance monitoring. However, the practice could have avoided the violation if it enacted penalties on the physician for the breach. Confidentiality is essential in healthcare; the institution should have taken action by suspension for a certain period or fined the doctor. They should also offer sessions to their personnel on the importance of patient privacy and the harm that violation of said rights would bring. Eventually, the institution would have prevented the case and any other future cases and prevent other patients from mistrusting the organization.

 
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