Three employees at Tucson's University Medical Center have been fired for violating patient privacy in connection with accessing confidential medical records in the high-profile shooting rampage that killed six people and left Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in critical condition, hospital officials said.
All the remaining injured patients from the shootings, including Giffords, are at UMC.
"The hospital has terminated three clinical support staff members this week for inappropriately accessing confidential electronic medical records, in accordance with UMC's zero-tolerance policy onpatient privacy violations," says a statement issued by UMC officials this morning.
A contracted nurse also was terminated by the nurse's employer, officials say, and the families of the affected patients were notified.
Hospital spokeswoman Katie Riley would not say how many patients were affected.
Hospital officials stressed they are not aware of any confidential patient information being released publicly.
"Any potential breaches of patient privacy by UMC staff will be investigated and appropriately addressed," a hospital news release says.
"With advances in technology, ensuring patient privacy has become the focus of hospitals nationwide. UMC uses sophisticated technology to help prevent and detect inappropriate access to patient information."
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