An anonymous medical blogger is sued for defamation, with HIPAA issues at play:
The blogger identifies himself under pseudonyms of fac_p and Frank Pasquale. Most blog commenters “” some of whom appear to be hospital employees “” are anonymous.In June, Essent filed a defamation lawsuit in state district court against “John Does 1-10″ for postings and comments made on the Paris blog, which the suit says has had 169,272 page views “from sites throughout the United States and the rest of the world” since it began. The lawsuit also claims patient privacy was violated under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPPA.
“We understand and respect the blogger and general public’s right to voice their opinions about PRMC and welcome constructive criticism,” the company said in a statement issued this week.
“However, the method used by the defendants is wholly unacceptable. It is a cowardly infringement on the confidentiality rights of PRMC patients and an unwarranted attack on the reputation of the hospital.”
The company claims in one instance, the blog posted enough information on a patient death to identify the patient before the family was notified.
Here is the blog in question. (via Pure Pedantry)
