Excerpt from memo to UCLA Medical Center employees

Excerpts from a memo sent by Carole A. Klove, chief compliance and privacy officer for UCLA Medical Sciences, to all UCLA Medical Center employees at 9:20 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2008:

“Our patients’ privacy and the security of their medical information continue to be a top concern for UCLA Health System. Ensuring the confidentiality of patient information is not only a commitment made to our patients but also directly impacts the patient experience as it comforts them to know that they can trust UCLA Health System to keep their medical information and Protected Health Information (PHI) safe. This year we are implementing additional safeguards for our patients, including a Privacy Code, which will allow patients to designate specific individuals to receive information from their care providers.

“Each member of our workforce, which includes our physicians, faculty, employees, volunteers and students, is responsible to ensure that medical information is only accessed as required for treatment, for facilitating payment of a claim, or for supporting our health care operations, such as quality improvement. … Please remember that any unauthorized access by a workforce member will be subject to disciplinary action, which could include termination.”