Privacy, Please

Filed under: Britney Spears

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Being Britney Spears is not easy, especially when people break the law just to get a glimpse inside the pop star's life.

A whopping THIRTEEN employees of the UCLA Medical Center have been fired for snooping on Britney's confidential medical records during her stay there earlier this year.

Plus, another six people have been suspended and six doctors face disciplinary action.

So unprofesh!

Employees are only allowed to peruse records if they are directly caring for a patient. Violating that not only goes against the hospital's code of conduct, but its' against the law too.

And, what's worse, the same thing happened to Britney when she gave birth to Small Fry at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica a few years ago.

"It's not only surprising, it's very frustrating and it's very disappointing," said Jeri Simpson, the Santa Monica hospital's director of human resources, who handled the discipline in the first instance.

"I feel like we do everything that we possibly can to ensure the privacy of our patients and I know we feel horrible that it happened again. I don't know what it is about this particular person, I don't know what it is about her."

Sucks for Britney. Shit, that would suck for anyone!

[Image via WENN.]

    Posted: Mar 15, 2008 at 4:10 pm / Email this  »

    127 comments to “Privacy, Please”

    More comments: [1] 2 »

    1. jenny says – reply to this


      1

      1st!

    2. R says – reply to this


      2

      Leave Britney Alone!

    3. kdub says – reply to this


      3

      It's so good to see Britney getting back to normal!!!

    4. jenny says – reply to this


      4

      wow more britney news…

      second!

    5. jen says – reply to this


      5

      1st!

    6. Rabbit says – reply to this


      6

      Yikes!

    7. layne says – reply to this


      7

      yo

    8. ashley says – reply to this


      8

      7th?

    9. layne says – reply to this


      9

      mmhmm

    10. mrs.phoenix says – reply to this


      10

      first?

    11. lulu says – reply to this


      11

      poor brit brit

    12. Lo' says – reply to this


      12

      baHaHah.. awesome… not about them getting fired. but yeah..
      one day— when im a doctor… yeahhh… lol that's funny shit

    13. Randi says – reply to this


      13

      what the hell ever Perez…you know that you would have looked at them too.

    14. jen says – reply to this


      14

      look–she's @ claire's!

    15. PJs Mommy says – reply to this


      15

      ASSHOLE PEOPLE NEED TO LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE ALREADY!!!!!!!

    16. Bekah says – reply to this


      16

      She's at Claire's. Kind of funny/weird since I used to work there.

    17. Raquel says – reply to this


      17

      first?

    18. JENNNNNAAAAAAAa says – reply to this


      18

      I WILL ALWAYS LOVE BRIT BRIT NO MATTER WHATT

      FIRSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

    19. jessica says – reply to this


      19

      All day with no update and this is the best you can do! Pathetic this is yesterdays news!!

    20. amanda- says – reply to this


      20

      why cant people just leave her alone and let her get better. no one is helping her by surrounding her 24/7. ugg i dont really like her or anything i just think people should back off..

    21. gab says – reply to this


      21

      Ouch. Grow up people.

    22. Joe says – reply to this


      22

      That's awful, they should be fired.

    23. EBH says – reply to this


      23

      REMIND ME NEVER TO GO TO THE UCLA MEDICAL CENTER.

    24. gay says – reply to this


      24

      1111111

    25. UKer says – reply to this


      25

      I LOVE BRITNEY SPEARS.
      THERE, I'VE SAID IT.

    26. a says – reply to this


      26

      1

    27. Aimée says – reply to this


      27

      Wow, that is really sad that they can't keep to their jobs and respect their patient's privacy…

    28. Courtney S says – reply to this


      28

      I'm so happy Britney is getting treated for whatever she is dealing with. Although I'm kind of bummed she's not in the pap. spot light anymore.. thank god she's getting help!!!!!

    29. heheheheheh says – reply to this


      29

      Shouldn't there be laws that punish ppl for snooping in confidential files? And shouldn't high-profile ppl have special protection under lock and key?

    30. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SHOULD MAKE OBAMA STEP DOWN says – reply to this


      30

      JUST LEAVE THE POOR GIRL ALONE AND VOTE HILLARY!

    31. trashboii says – reply to this


      31

      that is sick!
      just leave britney alone
      and BREAK THE ICE
      the besto eve'e
      love her

    32. Rach says – reply to this


      32

      Your fucking slow speed it up Perez this shits been on yahoo main page…

    33. HeatSeeker says – reply to this


      33

      I do not know what # I am, and don't give a shiiiiiittttttt!!!!!!! Perez, get ur lazy gay ass out of bed and update this effen site.

    34. Slippery Slope says – reply to this


      34

      People's private medical history is protected by HIPPA laws for good reason.
      There must be tough consequences for violation, or that slippery slope will be crossed more and more until it is nonexistant, and your body will become everyone's business. There were physicians implicated as well, and they violated the same laws, and faced lesser discipline. What, more money = slap on the wrist? They can line up new doctors; just not as easily. The transgression was the Same. Double standard, IMHO.

    35. what a hypocrite says – reply to this


      35

      all the sudden you care about people privacy Perez. Your the biggest HYPOCRITE i swear..what about when you out people..isnt that invading there privacy.???

    36. thenightone says – reply to this


      36

      Oh boo fucking hoo.

    37. b says – reply to this


      37

      is it a slow news day

    38. mwpancake says – reply to this


      38

      wtf???! Is she at Claire's or some shit?

    39. bathog says – reply to this


      39

      they are snooping because of perez types and people who buy the enquirer. congrats perez for doing your best to perpetuate the destruction of britney spears

    40. the DQ says – reply to this


      40

      "#29 - heheheheheh says – reply to this
      Shouldn't there be laws that punish ppl for snooping in confidential files?"

      There's already laws, it IS illegal & that's why they took action. Can you not read, you idiot.

    41. asWickedx3 says – reply to this


      41

      I read this on AOL YESTERDAY!!! You haven't been writing shit lately. YOU SUCK

    42. JohnnyLawEsq says – reply to this


      42

      Yup

    43. sasha says – reply to this


      43

      Re: Randi – seriously I agree. Doctors are amazing people they shouldnt be punished!! Britney ruins everything. Stupid celebrity.

    44. UKer says – reply to this


      44

      Re: yesterdays news sucks – IS PEREZ NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE SOME TIME OFF?
      WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO TELL HIM WHEN OR WHAT HE SHOULD POST, IT'S HIS FUCKING SITE, HE CAN DO WHATEVERTHEFUCK HE LIKES.
      IT'S NOT PEREZ' FAULT THAT YOU'RE A SAD CUNT WITH NO FRIENDS AND NO SOCIAL LIFE, AND SPENDS 24/7 CHECKING A GOSSIP SITE.
      YOU NEED TO GET A LIFE LAMO.

    45. britney is teh l33t says – reply to this


      45

      you people make me so angry. you've spend months.. wait no… years verbally abusing this person, perez on the front. but once perez changes his mind, everyone joins and jumps on the 'poor britney, hope she gets well' bandwagon. are you not able to get your own opinions? needing a little guidance, eh? sheep, the lot of you.
      beeeh, beeEEh

    46. doctor says – reply to this


      46

      and then they blame her for going crazy. Its all the ppl around her !

    47. snm says – reply to this


      47

      I work in a hospital. Happens all the time. We can see your freaking x-rays nowadays.

    48. lol ! yet not so lol says – reply to this


      48

      GEE, what do you suppose they're going to do now?!!!
      They will have the knowledge and now have no job, now they will be insanely pissed off. Obviously if they didn't spill before they will sell the info now!!!!!!!

    49. justin says – reply to this


      49

      LEAVE BRITT ALONE….

      GREAT TO SEE BRITNEY GOING BACK TO NORMAL..
      LISTEN TO YOUR DAD….

      AND FOR THOSE HOSPITAL WORKERS…SHAME ON THEM…..

      BRIT……………WE LOVE YOU

    50. ...... says – reply to this


      50

      Re: UKer – calm down. Sounds like you are the one with no life since you are going batshit crazy defending some lame guy.
      Why does it mean they have no life? You fucking idiot. Get a clue.
      You can't just pull out the "get a life" insult and automatically win. It's a well known fact that most of the people who SAY that phrase, actually have less of a life than the person they're offending. FACT.

    51. SARAH says – reply to this


      51

      HIPAA violation.

    52. tatian says – reply to this


      52

      OLDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD ? NEWSSSSSSSSS

      OR LET'S CALL IT….
      OLDSSSSSSSSS NOW INSTEAD OF NEWS….
      SOOOOOO YESTERDAY….

    53. TONY says – reply to this


      53

      BREAKING NEWS….

      BROKEN NEWS ALREADY..HAHAHAHAH
      KEEP ON WORKING PEREZ..

    54. Lindsay L. says – reply to this


      54

      Will you please respect our privacy??!!!
      Why, can't, you just let me do, the, things I wanna do
      I just wanna be me. I don't understand why….
      why can't they back up off you, why can't they let you live!!
      They're probably gonna write what they didn't see!!
      She just needs a little space to breathe
      WILL YOU PLEASE RESPECT OUR PRIVACY

    55. H says – reply to this


      55

      Love how perezhilton.com was the LAST media outlet to report on this…

    56. dub1 says – reply to this


      56

      Shame on the hospital administrators for pulling a PR stunt.
      25 people with real jobs that help people get burnt because of a piece of white trash, and their human curiosity is fueled by sites like this …THAT's the tragedy.
      I agree they should be punished, but they should just be sent to celebrity spa rehab for a week and we'll call it even. No way should they lose their jobs unless they've done it before.

    57. UKer says – reply to this


      57

      Re: …… – PEREZ IS NOT JUST SOME GUY, HE IS A REAL PERSON WITH REAL FEELINGS, I'VE BEEN COMING HERE FOR NEARLY 3 YEARS NOW, I CHECK THE SITE REGULARLY WHILE I'M WORKING, AND HAVE SEEN THIS SITE GO FROM STRENGHT TO STENGTH, I LOVE PEREZ I LOVE READING HIS SITE BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND HIS NEED FOR A FEW HOURS BREAK EVERY WEEKEND , HOW ELSE IS HE SUPPOSED TO LIVE HIS LIFE, YOU PPL ARE SO FUCKING UNGRATEFUL.

    58. also a UKer says – reply to this


      58

      Re: UKer – Perez is meant to be competing with these other sites.
      We want fresh news. We want to be visiting the site with the actual NEWs, not OLDS like someone else said, lol.
      Perez is supposed to be good at bringing the breaking news.
      He will lose readers if he keeps this up, but hey, if you (and a couple other people) like old news, and since you're SOOOOO busy with 'having a life' then maybe you are okay with old, irrelevant news and less postings.
      Keep coming here and keep quiet about it if you want. But get used to the complaints. People are just trying to point out that they like coming here but they're being forced to go other places because the sites going downhill.
      As you may have noticed other sites still function when people are on holiday. We all know that Perez doesn't personally post and maintain this whole site.
      It still functions while he SLEEPS in case you haven't noticed, so it can still function when he's on holiday.

    59. cris says – reply to this


      59

      seriously, i think i'd do the same.

    60. m says – reply to this


      60

      It just goes to show how little we actually do care for our fellow HUMAN being. Poor Brit Brit.
      -
      Those people need to hold the highest of standard, you are at your most vulnerable during hospital and medical times, I am happy the hospital took that severe and drastic of action.
      -

    61. angelbaby02840 says – reply to this


      61

      I would have done that shit too, only because I'm a nosy little bitch.

    62. OMG says – reply to this


      62

      http://britneyjeanspears.no.sapo.pt/indexPT.htm

    63. M says – reply to this


      63

      Re: lol ! yet not so lol
      -
      Hospitals and medical staff really should hold a higher personal standard in my opinion especially when it comes to caring and looking after other patients.
      -
      Even if they do sell the info, that will be there own issue — however, the hospital did the right thing to by the firings, they send the message to all medical care professionals, how to look after patients and how to care for people.

    64. oh look, britney has X,Y,Z says – reply to this


      64

      Re: dub1 – um, it's not a PR stunt, and guess what, it's a common rule where medical records are concerned.
      Yes, they are FIRED. She is not getting special treatment, what are you, 12?
      This kind of stuff is common knowledge and it's a BIG FUCKING DEAL. Maybe you are actually 8 not 12 if you don't understand the importance of looking at people's PRIVATE, SENSITIVE medical records.
      For all we know Britney could have frickin HIV, can you imagine if she did and someone read that??? I think the reason Patrick Swayze's condition and how long he had to live was leaked from someone inside who was paid off.
      Do you see how serious things like this are?
      At the very least what they did was unprofessional so they shouldn't be working in that kind of job in the first place if they have no respect for ill people's privacy and abusing their position of power. They all KNOW they will get fired if they look where they're not supposed to or without reason. The reason the penalty is so harsh is to stop curiousity or whatever from making you risk your job. They KNOW what they're doing is serious and wrong. The punishment reflects that. Would you be okay with a doctor fondling her and looking at the rest of her body if she went into surgery for something and was unconcious?

    65. Pretty_Princess says – reply to this


      65

      I must be an awful and nosy person, because in all honesty, I would really be tempted to peak. I mean her problems have gripped the whole damned world.
      Here is what I don't get though: why would they peek after they were warned they were being monitered?

    66. UKer says – reply to this


      66

      Re: also a UKer – I DON'T NEED ADVICE FROM A NOOB.
      PPL HAVE A HABIT OF COMPLAINING ON HERE AND THE NOOBS ARE THE USUAL SUSPECTS, EVERY FUCKING DAY WE'RE HAVING TO PUT UP WITH SOME TWAT HAVING A GO A PEREZ , IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT GO ELSEWHERE, MOST SITES DON'T EVEN UPDATE ON WEEKENDS
      PEREZ WILL ALWAYS BE NUMERO UNO , LOVE IT OR HATE IT.

    67. Nanna says – reply to this


      67

      Poor Brit Brit. I seriously hope she will get well soon :)

    68. Read All About It says – reply to this


      68

      Mario copies & pastes from other media outlets. Save yourself some time and view them first yourself -
      ***
      thesun.co.uk
      ***
      hellomagazine.com
      ***
      mrpaparazzi.com
      ***
      celebrity-planet.net
      ***
      nationalenquirer.com

    69. chris says – reply to this


      69

      this news is SO late you dumb shit.

      don't think that britney fans are gonna come around and support you, either, just because you are being nice now.

      how fucking two-faced of you you little nasty.

    70. Brae says – reply to this


      70

      you don't fuck with my Britney!

    71. Delores Kazinsky says – reply to this


      71

      One of the Blinds said one of the pop princesses had HIV. Maybe this is what they were looking for.

    72. rOll says – reply to this


      72

      she looks hot!!! and yes people don´t mess with Britney even Perez is facing a sue because Briit Briit
      ajajajaj
      lol

    73. Dubrockna says – reply to this


      73

      They may have trouble getting another job with no good reference from the previous employer and who would want to hire people with no sense of ethics or morals anyway, who deliberately break the rules.

    74. Aurora says – reply to this


      74

      OH PLEASE!!!!! I'm a nurse and we look at stuff we aren't supposed to ALL OF THE TIME!!! I can't believe some probably awesome medical professionals have been fired because they 'dared" to look at Britneys medical records. What has Brittney EVER DONE??? She isn't even qualified to wipe any of their asses.

    75. SusanPowter says – reply to this


      75

      How goddamn ridiculous. Hasn't ANYONE heard of HIPPA? I hope they all get fired, not just some. She is a celebrity, but she is also a regular human being entitled to the same privacy rights as everyone in this country.
      PS–Buy my new fitness video!

    76. jmeem says – reply to this


      76

      yes, that would suck. the employees need to get a life.

    77. Kate says – reply to this


      77

      This kind of thing happens all the time. You just don't know it because it's usually everyday people, not Britney. Trust me, after years of working in healthcare, I know it's VERY common. People yuk it up over who came in after "slipping on a bottle of Coke in the bathtub" all the time… you may be next, Perez.

    78. jmeem says – reply to this


      78

      yes, that would suck. the employees need to get a life. and 76, you scare me and this why our country is in a whirl of moral shit.

    79. Tammy5583 says – reply to this


      79

      Perez, I just LOVE it when you call the kids "Tater Tot" and "Small Fry". It's just perezcious!!!!

    80. Erika says – reply to this


      80

      Re: SusanPowter – Give us a break, "Susan Powter"… you're washed up and your new website is crap. Especially the Q and A section… who do you think you are, e.e. cummings? LOL

    81. bored now says – reply to this


      81

      Re: UKer – Who the hell are YOU talking to?
      I'm not a fucking NOOB, jackass.
      But contratulations on being an erm… long time internet gossip reader?
      Lmfao. You sad bastard. Truly sad.
      People aren't "hating" on Perez, they are speaking their fucking mind, you pathetic, worshipping-a-fat-man-that-is-not-Buddah, SHEEP.
      Perez will NOT be #1 forever, and even if he was, I do not give a shit about him personally, I just like a CONSISTENT website. Get it?? Good.
      On the rare occasions you take your nose out of Perez's arse please use it to breathe all the fresh air you can and not get into pointless arguments where you fail at even passing for normal.

    82. bored now says – reply to this


      82

      Re: bored now – *Buddha

    83. TIRED OF IT ALL says – reply to this


      83

      Re: Aurora – You need to really get your curiosity in check if you call yourself a professional nurse. Potentially losing your job is not worth a peek at anyone's private medical information, ever. This goes for anyone working with patients, doctors, nurses, clerical etc. I also am an RN and I have learned to mind my own business!

    84. Mel says – reply to this


      84

      she's in claire's!!!!!!!!!

    85. tia says – reply to this


      85

      damn, what is it about her? this doesn't happen to any other celeb, only her, why is the world so obsessed with Britney Spears?

    86. Bodie says – reply to this


      86

      Re: UKer

      geez, never met someone so stupid as UKer . Enfin, he/she did find the caps lock, very important. Perez Hilton has got to deal with his/her own conscience now, or later….

    87. observer says – reply to this


      87

      As though you, Perez Hilton, would not have done everything in your power to sneak a peek at her files if given the chance. You are quite the hypocrite.

    88. Tina says – reply to this


      88

      HIPPA. or however the form is represented. You don't respect a patient's rights, you can't work for the patient. 'sall I gotta say.

    89. sara says – reply to this


      89

      she's beatiful!!!!

    90. RN says – reply to this


      90

      They all deserved to be fired. If licensed staff they should suffer reprimand from their state boards. I hope that they are all prosecuted to the full extent of the law including fines.

    91. AVON says – reply to this


      91

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      Register and contact me via my website or email me.
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    92. caroaber says – reply to this


      92

      So it's happened twice already? This speaks very poorly to the professionalism of those involved, INCLUDING DOCTORS! This poor woman is literally under attack every day, and these professionals who should know better are a part of the problem. Appalling.

    93. The BANANANAS!!!! says – reply to this


      93

      She could sue all those people for violating OSHA Privacy Laws!!!

      And on another note: she's looking so much better these days, she looks like she's more put together. Thank heavens for her Dad for interfering and helping her out. Hope she gets better soon!

    94. -_- says – reply to this


      94

      Re: Aurora
      hey~ do u mind telling me where u work? so I can make a phone call, complain, and get you fired? I bet you don't have the guts to tell me where u work huh.

    95. why has she got li-lo color hair now says – reply to this


      95

      fire crotch hair !

    96. TEDDY says – reply to this


      96

      DO YOU GUYS THINK SHE IS GETTING BACK TO NORMAL???

    97. who ares so long as it isnt sold for $$$$$$$$ says – reply to this


      97

      who friggen cares,
      brit is not so special,
      shes only human.

    98. who cares says – reply to this


      98

      who gives a flying cheetoh,

      shes only human and
      if docs need to see her medical history, so be it.
      she should take a deep breath and forget to breath in again .

    99. dan says – reply to this


      99

      what is it about her, really?
      god… why r we so obsessed with her?

    100. no says – reply to this


      100

      Re: who cares – lol flying cheetoh.
      Anway, this is actually talking about people who didn't need to know. Even though they are doctors and HAVE access.
      I'm sure you know somebody who works as a doctor/nurse/etc or even with the police (if you have been involved with the police before).
      Are you cool with random people who work there snooping on your private data held in their systems?
      Oh, and would you be cool with that if you were super famous trying your utmost to keep such information AWAY from the public?!!
      Oh, and the fact that people are willing to pay workers at least a couple of thousand $$s and up to $1million for your personal information ?
      Information that you might not even tell your friends, mum, husband etc.
      Trust me if - it's juicy enough- it is worth that to them.
      Without making a comment ABOUT abortion… Take for example the fact that Britney might have had an abortion. Most people hide this kind of information from everyone they can, but it is in their medical records. Not personally saying that abortion is shameful, no comment! But many people feel that, so they keep it private, and it has the right to REMAIN PRIVATE, (even if you think it is a disgusting thing and they should be 'shamed' and 'outed' as some say) unless someone needs to know at a certain time, for a specific purpose.
      Clearly these people didn't or they wouldn't be getting fired….

    More comments: [1] 2 »