Dire need to protect patients

Re “Just ‘nosy,’ says figure in medical data scandal,” April 9

All patients should have confidence that their medical records will remain confidential. Hospitals continue to evolve in providing safeguards to protect patients’ privacy. Unfortunately, this is a difficult undertaking, especially when potentially dozens of hospital personnel may have access to patients’ medical records. Maybe the next step in protecting patient privacy is to hold the media accountable for releasing patient medical information it may have received from rogue hospital employees out for financial gain.

We desperately need legislation to fine and prosecute media outlets that release the information we are trying to protect. This would also be a good time to debate when a patient becomes a patient. I would consider an automobile accident victim a patient as he is being treated by paramedics at the scene. Isn’t this an invasion of patient privacy when these events are aired live on the 6 o’clock news before consent of the victim or family?

Raymond Gritton MD

San Marino