Medical records and waste dumped in Bonita Springs

Reporter: Anika Henanger
Published: Updated:
Photo by WINK News.

Valet workers at a restaurant witnessed waste fall from a truck, but the truck did not stop. Patient medical records were also among the debris strewn about. Authorities were called, and two fire departments responded to clean up the mess.

Patients are upset their personal medical records were mishandled after a truck carrying them dumped them along with apparent medical waste in front of Angelina’s Ristorante in Bonita Springs Friday.

The health care provider responsible for transporting the medical records is currently unknown.

Pamella Seay is an attorney who works with FGCU. Seay said the forgotten medical waste is a violation of HIPAA laws. Those laws require health care providers protect patient information.

“As a nurse with HIPAA and FERPA laws, that should never ever happen,” Nurse Nancy Walker said.

People can use that information against others.

WINK News collected as many of the documents as possible and are working to return them to the rightful patients.

Seay said even if the incident was unintentional, the health care provider could be liable for a violation for each patient whose information was leaked.

Trust WINK News to update you as more information becomes available. 

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