by Karin Swendsen

Nursing

Bill, a pit crane operator for Big Daddy Steel Company, was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Jackie took care of Bill during the morning shift, and learned from his chart that he was HIV positive. During dinner that evening she told her husband, Joe, that she had taken care of an AIDS patient with pneumonia who had just moved back to Utah from San Francisco. She was careful not to use his name in order to protect his privacy.

Joe was concerned about his wife's safety, and mentioned his concern to a co-worker. The co-worker had a neighbor whose daughter was dating a man who had recently moved to Utah from San Francisco, and who had just been hospitalized with pneumonia.

Within a few days, Big Daddy Steel Company learned of Bill's diagnosis. They immediately canceled Bill's medical coverage and fired him.

Questions:

What are the legal issues in this case?

What are the ethical issues in this case?

Was anyone in this case being unethical? Who?