Bagent v. Blessing Care Corp. (Summary)

Patient Confidentiality

Bagent v. Blessing Care Corp., No. 4-05-0495 (Ill.
App. Ct. Mar. 3, 2006)

The
Appellate Court of Illinois, Fourth District, held that a hospital could
be held liable for an off-duty employee’s disclosure of a patient’s private
medical information because that employee has a continuing duty to maintain
such confidentiality. After an employee negligently disclosed confidential
medical information to a patron of a tavern, the patient’s twin sister, the
patient sued both the hospital and the employee. The hospital claimed it was
not liable because the employee was not acting within the scope of employment.
The court disagreed, finding that the hospital imposed a duty of confidentiality
upon the employee to maintain confidentiality at all times.