UMC fires 4 accused of taking photos of patient

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May 01, 2009, 6:24 p.m.
TY BOWERS
Tucson Citizen

University Medical Center officials on Friday fired four employees for what they said was misconduct after a "staff member took an inappropriate photo of a patient" with a cell phone camera, according to a UMC statement released Friday afternoon

Citing issues related to "patient privacy and to personnel matters," hospital officials released no further information about the April 24 incident.

UMC policies bar taking photos of patients without written permission and prohibit the use of cell phone cameras inside the hospital, the release said.

The hospital began investigating the incident and told Tucson police "after an employee expressed concerns to supervisors," the release said..

Tucson police have not released a report about the incident, which remained under investigation as of Thursday. A police spokesman did not immediately return a call for comment Friday.

UMC officials said the hospital "would redouble its efforts to educate staff about preserving patient privacy," according to the hospital's statement.

Read All Comments » 15 TOTAL COMMENTS
May 3, 2009 @ 7:57am
My son received excellent medical care there at UMC as well several years ago. Let's hope this is an isolated incident which has been dealt with harshly and correctly.
May 2, 2009 @ 10:10pm
mustberight wrote:Is UMC the teaching and where the cancer hospital is? If so mydaughter spend a good year of her life there with leukemia (as her mother so did I) It was truly a great experience.

She received the very best medical care and recovered completely. 9 years ago. I am extremely grateful to them.



Glad to hear of your loved ones speedy recovery! It's a crime what these trusted employees are doing, they should check everybody @ the door.
May 2, 2009 @ 6:28pm
I know one of the patient's realitves and truly hope the 4 who were fired are charged with privicy act violations. What kind of ethics do they teach nurses anyway?
Steve Hulland
Capt. USMC (Ret)
Ex Raytheon Fire Capt
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