Ambulance Feature Violated Patient Confidentiality

I am writing in regards to your December 10, 1996 news feature, "Students Ride With Ambulances, Give Medical Care." This was an informative article on an outstanding program. Every student that has participated in this program has done exceptional work. In the past few days, Harvard students participating in this program have done CPR in an attempt to save a victim, played a valuable role in our operations at the scene of a seven alarm fire with injuries and 30 displaced victims, and responded to various other emergencies.

I must note my objection and concern with one aspect of this article, however. Within the article, in what appears to be an effort to illustrate to all of the Harvard community that everyone utilizes these services and that no person is immune, the specific name of a patient is printed. I want to make it clear that due to patient confidentiality considerations, the specific name of the patient was not provided by Professional Ambulance or by the paramedic listed. Every Harvard University student is instructed to maintain strict patient confidentiality during their training prior to participating in this program. Patient information in emergency medical services is exactly the same as the records in Harvard University Health Services, another hospital or the files in a doctor's office.

I want to reemphasize that the use of an ambulance and emergency medical services is the same as any other type of medical care when it comes to confidentiality. The inclusion of a specific name in this article by the author is unfortunate and unnecessary.

Again, students like Matt Tripp and the participants of this program are to be commended. The experience they are gaining and the work they are doing is important. Professional Ambulance Service is proud to be a part of this program and is proud of its place in the Harvard University community. --Bill Mergendahl   The writer is the Operations Director of Professional Ambulance, Inc.