Breach of Confidentiality at FL hospice - TheBody.com's Bulletin Boards

PRESS RELEASE:

March 13, 2003: ACTION ALERT FOR ALL THOSE TERMINALLY ILL WITH AIDS !!

The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast has been sued for, among other things, violating the
confidentiality of thousands of its patients, including those with HIV/AIDS. According to the
class action lawsuit, the hospice's for-profit Subsidiary, "Suncoast Solutions, has released confidential
patient information without authorization." Hospice of the Florida Suncoast is based in the St.
Petersburgh, Tampa/Clearwater area of Florida. Any AIDS patients who may be patients of this
hospice NEED to know about this breach of confidentiality.

A basis for legal action against the hospice is presented in the class-action lawsuit. This gives
HIV/AIDS patients who have been receiving services by this hospice specific legal rights to legal
action.

Information documenting this appalling breach of confidentiality is posted online at Hospice
Patients Alliance in our efforts to inform all affected AIDS patients of potential violation of their
confidentiality. See:
www.hospicepatients.org/Hosp-FL-Suncoast-entrypage.html

and the class-action lawsuit:
http://www.hospicepatients.org/Hosp-FL-Suncoast-Cmplnt.html

and exhibit 13 of the lawsuit where hospice personnel admit the breach has been ongoing:
www.hospicepatients.org/Exh-13-Suncoast-reveals-BREACH-OF-CONFIDENTIALITY-usual-
practice----024.gif

Any patients or families of patients concerned about this breach of confidentiality at this particular
hospice should contact the class-action plaintiffs' attorney. Victims of this breach of confidential
have a legal right to recovery through the class-action lawsuit. Call:

Jonathan L. Alpert, Esq.
Florida Bar No. 121970
THE ALPERT LAW FIRM
100 South Ashley Drive. Suite 2000
Post Office Box 3270
Tampa, Florida 33601-3270
(813) 223-4131 - Tel.
(813) 230-9915 - Tel.
(813) 228-9612 - Fax

I have personally seen the private confidential information about AIDS patients which is publicly
accessible due to this hospice's illegal policies breaching the confidentiality of the patients and
disclosing confidential information to the public and customers of their for-profit software
company. I have also personally spoken with an AIDS patient whose confidential information has
been breached by the hospice and who agrees that ALL patients involved have the right to know if
their private medical records and information has been released to the public and also, that they
have the right to take legal action against the hospice. This patient is OUTRAGED that the
hospice has released his private medical information!

Please share this ACTION ALERT with all on your email and mailing lists as it is vital that all those
affected know about this breach of confidentiality!

Ron Panzer, President
Hospice Patients Alliance
www.hospicepatients.org
email: caring@hospicepatients.org
4541 Gemini Street
P.O. Box 744
Rockford, MI 49341-0744
Tel. 616-866-9127

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