May 14, 2008

Man to Sue Hospital for Disclosing His Status

An HIV-positive Boston man says a doctor at the city’s Caritas St. Elizabeth’s hospital disclosed the man’s status to his employer MyFox Boston reports (myfoxboston.com, 5/13). According to the report, the man plans to sue the hospital.

The news report says that in May 2005, the man, whom it names only as “John,” was rushed from work to the hospital after falling ill. It says that when John’s boss visited him, his doctor disclosed his status, mistaking the boss for another physician. John later received a letter of apology from the hospital claims department.

“It should never have happened,” said John. “My life hasn’t been the same since that day; it’s something that I guarded with such passion, I was still dealing with being diagnosed myself.”

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Michael, , 2008-05-16 17:13:32
This is sad when it happens. Unless a doctor knows 100 percent that the other person is another doctor and that doctor is working on the patients case also, they should never talk about any medical condition. Although I think all of us should inform our employers of our status only when our health insurance is through our employer, otherwise they have no need to know either unless we wish to tell them.

Fred Mlundi, Dar es salaam, 2008-05-16 04:36:09
I really feel sorry for the poor man but thanks he knows exactly what to do.In fact these incidences are happening many times in developing countries but a lot of our patients do not know their rights as far as their confidentiality is concerned. Thanks to God also stigma is going down day after day and many more people are attending CTC and VCT without any fear or shame.

Mario, Palm Springs, 2008-05-15 12:59:51
What an unfortunate event for "John", but it won't be until HIV/AIDS is not such a stigmatized disease that there will be fewer infections. When people can openly talk about, deal with, understand, etc. HIV/AIDS people will start to take care of themselves and loved ones.

Bearby, Birmingham, 2008-05-15 12:19:13
I too ran into such a consequence but it was at work and altho I had told just 1 manager I guess it was his duty to tell all of the others thereby breeching the confidentality that I had shown him which I equate to much the same as what this story entails .

Chris, NEW YORK, 2008-05-15 11:30:57
I know exactly what you are going through. I am a foreign national and I have literally forced by the immigration lawyer of the company to disclose my status. My Life was turned upside down and my partner took his own Life. I wish I could sue this law firm for what they have done but I do not have the deep pockets to do so. I wish you all the best in your quest. This disclosure should not happen unless fully consented.