Woman claims Salem Clinic mishandled records

Woman claims Salem Clinic mishandled records

By Melica Johnson and KATU Web Staff

SALEM, Ore. - Most people don't expect their personal information will end up in someone's living room after they visit their doctor's office.

But that may have happened to dozens of patients of a facility called the Salem Clinic, which is located in Salem. The records of some patients were apparently included in an employee handbook, according to an ex-employee.
    
A former worker, who wishes to remain anonymous, told KATU News that everything from actual Social Security numbers to records revealing patient's ailments were part of the clinic's training binder.
    
She also said employees were allowed to take the handbooks home.
    
The woman said she was fired after pointing out the problem on Wednesday.

Darbi Carson, a patient at the clinic, said she was seeking "the best lawyer I can find" due to her anger over the matter.

Salem Clinic officials released a statement saying no one other than clinic employees are allowed to view patient records and that "they have a duty to protect confidential information that is entrusted to them."
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