According officials at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, six people have bee fired from the hospital for accessing 14 patient medical records “improperly,” reports the LA Times.
Here’s what you need to know…
1. One of Those Fired Was a Student
Those fired are five full-time employees and one student research-assistant. They have all fired over “security breaches.” Four were physicians at the hospital, one was a medical assistant, and the other an unpaid research student.
2. The Security Breach Happened During Kimye’s Time in the Hospital
The files are believed to have been accessed between June 18 and 24, the time when Kim Kardashian was at the hospital giving birth.
3. It Was Confirmed to TMZ That Kim Was Compromised
A hospital spokesperson refused to acknowledge the identity of patient whose files were compromised, but a source confirmed to TMZ that it was Kimye’s documents.
4. It Might Answer The Question About Who Was Leaking Info About North
Information had been made public about Kim’s daughter, North, that was not revealed by the family. TMZ reports:
Our sources say the family suspected that information was leaking from the hospital after various media reports surfaced with certain information about the birth of her daughter North that she hadn’t told anyone.
5. One Record Was of Particular Interest to the Breachers
Of the six fired, five looked at one record, the other person was found to have looked at 14.
6. Doctors Have Access to Anyone’s Medical Records
Physicians at the hospital are allowed to access the patient database, but only for information relating to their patients.
7. The Breachers Could Face Jail Time
Under federal law, people who release confidential medical information can face criminal charges. HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that was passed by Congress in 1996, which regulates breaches such as these, those found guilty, can face fines of up to $50,000 as well as jail time. According to the California Dept. of Health Care Services website:
HIPAA is the single most significant legislation affecting the health care industry since the creation of the Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1965. HIPAA affects all individuals, providers, payers and related entities involved in health care.
8. Kimye Aren’t the First Celebs to be Compromised
In 2008, the UCLA Health System was forced to pay nearly $1 million dollars in fines relating to the leaking of medical records relating to celebrities such as Britney Spears. In the Spears case, 13 employees were fired, including four doctors. According to the LA Times, it was at this time that hospitals in LA, who have celebrity patients began tightening security.
9. The Hospital Are Reviewing Their Practices
Cedars-Sinai are planning to put through their employees through an intensive computer security course.
10. Kim is Happy That Action Has Been Taken
According to TMZ, Kim Kardashian is “happy” the employees in question have been fired. Though the LA Times maintains there has been no official response from the Kimye camp.
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Six Fired from Hospital for Looking at Kimye’s File: Top 10 Facts You Need to Know