In response to a Los Angeles Times report that claims UCLA is trying to fire at least 13 employees for looking at pop star Britney Spears' medical records, the UCLA Health System issued a statement this afternoon:

 

"UCLA Health System considers patient confidentiality a critical part of our mission of teaching, research and patient care. All staff members are required to sign confidentiality agreements as a condition of their employment and complete extensive training on HIPAA-related privacy and security issues. We have stringent policies to protect patient confidentiality and address violations of those policies.

 

"When possible confidentiality breaches arise, UCLA immediately launches an investigation and appropriate disciplinary action would then be initiated. Due to the confidential nature of both patient and personnel issues, no further information is available.

 

"The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) provides national standards to protect the security and privacy of a patient's health information."