Nurse Who Revealed Teen’s Pregnancy to Family Loses Job and Benefits
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A nurse at Waverly Health Center was fired for allegedly disclosing a 17-year-old patient’s pregnancy to an unauthorized family member.
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The patient had not given consent for her medical information to be shared, making the disclosure a potential HIPAA violation.
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An administrative law judge ruled the nurse was ineligible for unemployment and must repay $4,214 in benefits already received.
An Iowa nurse who allegedly disclosed a 17-year-old patient’s pregnancy to a family member without consent has been denied unemployment benefits and ordered to repay over $4,000.
According to state records, Erica Hulsing, a registered nurse at Waverly Health Center, was fired on May 11, 2025, after an internal investigation found she shared private health information in violation of patient confidentiality laws.
What Happened?
On April 17, 2025, Hulsing reportedly received a phone call from a relative of the patient, asking about her stay at the hospital. The teenager had not authorized the hospital to share her medical information with anyone—including her family.
Despite that, Waverly Health Center claims Hulsing disclosed that the patient had been pregnant. The patient later complained, as did her family, stating she did not want that information shared.
Hospital Response and Termination
Following the complaints, the hospital launched an investigation. It concluded that Hulsing had violated HIPAA regulations and the facility’s policies on professional conduct by revealing sensitive information to an unauthorized individual.
Hulsing allegedly told her employer she was unaware that HIPAA prohibited her from sharing health details with family members who were not listed on the patient’s consent form.
She was terminated for gross misconduct.
Unemployment Claim Denied
After being fired, Hulsing applied for and received $4,214 in unemployment benefits while her case was under review. However, Administrative Law Judge Duane Golden recently ruled that her actions amounted to job-related misconduct, making her ineligible for benefits.
As a result, Hulsing has been ordered to repay the $4,214 she received.
What Nurses Should Know
This case serves as a reminder of the critical importance of patient privacy, especially under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA):
- Patients age 17 or older may have the right to confidential care, including regarding pregnancy and reproductive health.
- No information should be disclosed without documented consent, even to family members.
- Nurses must remain up to date on federal and state privacy laws, as violations can lead to termination and legal consequences.
For more on HIPAA privacy guidelines, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services HIPAA page.
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