Clooney Comes Out in Support of Suspended Medical Workers
Actor says as many as 40 accused of looking at his medical records should not lose pay.
George Clooney has come out in support of medical workers at a New Jersey hospital accused of looking at his confidential medical records.
The actor, 46, suffered a broken rib and scrapes when he was hurt in a motorcycle accident last month. He was treated at the Palisades medical center in North Bergen, New Jersey.
WCBS-TV in New York reported last night that as many as 40 employees, including doctors, were suspended without pay, accused of accessing Clooney's medical records and possibly leaking the information to the media.
The Jersey Journal of Jersey City reported that 27 employees, but no doctors, had been disciplined, and only for looking at the records without authorization.
The investigation was not prompted by a complaint from Clooney, who said he only learned of it yesterday.
"While I very much believe in a patient's right to privacy, I would hope that this could be settled without suspending medical workers," he said in statement.
A spokeswoman for the union representing some of the workers said they had been suspended without pay for four weeks.
"We believe this is a harsh penalty and an overreaction," said Jeanne Oterson, a spokeswoman for the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union, adding that a grievance could be filed pending further investigation.
Eurice Rojas, the hospital's vice president of external affairs, told The Jersey Journal that hospital officials do not believe any employees leaked Clooney's medical information, but some did improperly access his records.
US federal law mandates that only direct caregivers - including doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff involved in a patient's care - see such information.
Mr Rojas did not return after-hours messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Clooney's motorcycle and a car collided on a narrow road in Weehawken, across the Hudson River from New York City. His passenger, Sarah Larson, 28, broke her foot.
Clooney shot to fame playing Dr Doug Ross on the television drama ER.
The actor, 46, suffered a broken rib and scrapes when he was hurt in a motorcycle accident last month. He was treated at the Palisades medical center in North Bergen, New Jersey.
WCBS-TV in New York reported last night that as many as 40 employees, including doctors, were suspended without pay, accused of accessing Clooney's medical records and possibly leaking the information to the media.
The Jersey Journal of Jersey City reported that 27 employees, but no doctors, had been disciplined, and only for looking at the records without authorization.
The investigation was not prompted by a complaint from Clooney, who said he only learned of it yesterday.
"While I very much believe in a patient's right to privacy, I would hope that this could be settled without suspending medical workers," he said in statement.
A spokeswoman for the union representing some of the workers said they had been suspended without pay for four weeks.
"We believe this is a harsh penalty and an overreaction," said Jeanne Oterson, a spokeswoman for the Health Professionals and Allied Employees union, adding that a grievance could be filed pending further investigation.
Eurice Rojas, the hospital's vice president of external affairs, told The Jersey Journal that hospital officials do not believe any employees leaked Clooney's medical information, but some did improperly access his records.
US federal law mandates that only direct caregivers - including doctors, nurses, technicians and support staff involved in a patient's care - see such information.
Mr Rojas did not return after-hours messages from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Clooney's motorcycle and a car collided on a narrow road in Weehawken, across the Hudson River from New York City. His passenger, Sarah Larson, 28, broke her foot.
Clooney shot to fame playing Dr Doug Ross on the television drama ER.
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
- Clooney Warns Un of Darfur Genocide
- Clooney Leads Celebrity Fightback Against New York 'stalker' Website
- George Clooney Denies Pam Anderson Rumors
- George Clooney & Sarah Larson Call it Quits
- George Clooney Denies Engagement
- George Clooney & Renee Zellweger an Item?
- George Clooney and Teri Hatcher an Item?
- George Clooney & Lucy Liu Coupled Up?
- Clooney Heads Hollywood's Anti-bush Forces
- Sorry George Clooney, But the Last Thing Darfur Needs is Western Troops
- Hollywood Politics
- Sicilian Mafiosi Mingle With Stars of Ocean's 12
- Clooney Show Blurs Fact and Fiction in Corridors of Power
- Clooney 'weds' his Venice stalker
- Pretty boys can think
- George Clooney is getting a new Martini mate!