An Arkansas nurse who pleaded guilty to violating a federal law to protect patient privacy faces up to 10 years in prison.
Licensed practical nurse Andrea Smith of Trumann also could be ordered to pay a fine up to $250,000 and serve up to three years supervision after prison. Smith is expected to be sentenced within two months.
Smith pleaded guilty to wrongfully disclosing individually identifiable health information for personal gain and malicious harm. A federal indictment says Smith obtained private medical information on an unnamed patient November 28th, 2006, when she was working for the Northeast Arkansas Clinic in Jonesboro.
According to the indictment, she gave the information to her husband, Justin Smith, and he called the patient and threatened to use the information against that person in a legal proceeding.
Under the plea agreement, another count against Andrea Smith was dismissed, as well as counts against Justin Smith.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Channel 7 News to leave comments on news stories.