Staffers were suspended for viewing George Clooney’s medical records

By Jonathan Zipper

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 10/10/07 – George Clooney’s recent visit to a New Jersey hospital has caused quite a fallout after staff members allegedly read confidential medical records when he was brought in for injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

The former “ER” star had no idea there even was an on-going investigation into the incident until he heard about it himself on Tuesday.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” he said in a statement. “And while I very much believe in a patient’s right to privacy, I would hope that this could be settled without suspending medical workers.”

According to Federal Law, only direct caregivers such as doctors, nurses, and technicians can have access to classified medical information.

The 46-year-old actor and friend Sarah Larson, 28, were treated at Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, N.J. last month when the motorcycle they were riding collided with a car in Weehawkin. Clooney sustained a broken rib, while Larson broke her foot.

New York’s CBS affiliate reported on Tuesday that up to 40 staff members were suspended without pay, including some doctors. Meanwhile, the Jersey Journal of Jersey City said that only 27 staffers, none of them being doctors, had simply been disciplined.

A union spokeswoman, who is representing a number of the employees, said they were suspended for four weeks without pay.

Clooney is currently filming “Burn After Reading,” written and directed by the Coen brothers. He co-stars opposite his good friend Brad Pitt.