Patient Photos On Doctor`s Website Generate Controversy
OCEANSIDE, Calif. --
A North County emergency room doctor is generating controversy by posting X-rays and pictures of patients' injuries on his Web site, NBC 7/39 medical correspondent Peggy Pico reported.
Images: Doctor's Controversial Web Site Watch Video
Dr. David Pregerson is a physician at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside. He claims his site, "Erpocketbooks.com," is educational.
The site contains cases of the month and more than 140 examples of emergency room injuries. Many of the entries contain actual X-ray photos, ultrasound images or digital pictures of patients.
None of the images contain identifying information, so they do not violate federal laws that protect patient privacy, Pico reported.
Pregerson did not respond to NBC 7/39's repeated requests asking where and how he obtained the images.
However, Tri-City Hospital officials said it is against hospital policy to take photos or disseminate patient records without prior permission.
According to hospital CEO Sue-Ellen Ellerbe, Pregerson told officials none of the images are from Tri-City Hospital. She also said an investigation by the hospital's medical executive committee found the use of the images to be legitimate.
Earlier this month, the hospital announced nine of their employees were fired for photographing and reproducing patient X-rays. Ellerbe said Pregerson was not related to that incident, NBC 7/39 reported.
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- May 11, 2007: Report: Hospital To Fire Employees Over Privacy Violations
