What To Do if A Current or Former Co-Worker is A Patient

As an employee you might find out, either through word of mouth or observation, that a current or former co-worker is a UCMC patient.  Once you become aware of the information, you may want to contact or visit the patient to see how he/she is doing out of concern.  However, under the laws that govern patient privacy, your first obligation is to respect and protect your co-workers' privacy.  When your co-worker is a patient, treat him/her just like any other patient.  Your co-worker is entitled to and deserves the same privacy and confidentiality that you would give to any other patient.