Howell v. Park E. Care & Rehab. , 2018 Ohio 2054 ( 2018 )

[Cite as Howell v. Park E. Care & Rehab., 2018-Ohio-2054.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
No. 106041
DAVID HOWELL, JR., ETC.
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE
vs.
PARK EAST CARE & REHABILITATION, ET AL.
DEFENDANTS-APPELLANTS
JUDGMENT:
REVERSED AND REMANDED
Civil Appeal from the
Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas
Case No. CV-17-876418
BEFORE: Blackmon, J., E.T. Gallagher, P.J., and Stewart, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: May 24, 2018
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANTS
Martin T. Galvin
Brian D. Sullivan
Erin Siebenhar Hess
Reminger Co., L.P.A.
1400 Midland Building
101 Prospect Avenue, West
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Blake A. Dickson
Danielle Chaffin
The Dickson Firm, L.L.C.
Enterprise Place, Suite 420
3401 Enterprise Parkway
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, J.:
{¶1} Defendants-appellants, Harborside of Cleveland Limited Partnership d.b.a. Park East
Care & Rehabilitation, and its owners and operators (collectively “Park East”), appeal from the
trial court’s decision that denied their motion for a protective order and compelled them to
provide discovery of records pertaining to a nursing home resident who allegedly assaulted
decedent, Pauline Wilbourn (“Wilbourn”), mother of plaintiff-appellee, David Howell
(“Howell”). Park East assigns the following errors for our review:
I. The trial court erred by ordering production of privileged medical records
pertaining to a nonparty to the litigation, which party refused to consent to such
disclosure.
II. The trial court erred by ordering production of statutorily privileged incident
reports, reports to the Ohio Department of Health, and a nonparty patient’s billing
records as these items are each statutorily immune from discovery.
{¶2} Having reviewed the record and pertinent law, we reverse and remand in order for
the trial court to conduct an in camera review of the disputed documents in order to ensure that
they are not protected by a privilege or are otherwise undiscoverable. The apposite facts follow.
{¶3} On February 23, 2017, Howell filed suit against Park East, alleging that while
Wilbourn was a resident of Park East, she was assaulted by a fellow resident, L.W., and died
from her injuries.1 Howell alleged that the actions or omissions of Park East were negligent,
reckless, wanton and wilful, and substantially certain to cause harm to Wilbourn.
{¶4} L.W. is deceased, and his estate is not a party to this action. It is undisputed that
his estate has refused to consent to production of his records at Park East.
{¶5} Howell propounded extensive discovery requests to Park East. As is relevant to
this appeal, Howell seeks various incident reports, medical records, and other information
records pertaining to L.W., including the following:
Request for Production of Documents 2: Documents relative to [L.W.],
including nursing home chart, medical records, physician notes, nurse statements
and notes, progress notes, documentation of activities of daily living, assessment
reports, incident/accident reports, physical therapy, administration of narcotics,
dietary records, communications about [L.W.], etc.
Request for Production of Documents 5: Documents relative to [L.W.]
including medical records, documentation of any incidents, police reports, and
witness statements.
1
This case was originally filed under a different case number in 2014. Within the earlier case, Park East sought a
protective order to bar the production of discovery responses. The trial court denied the motion for a protective
order and Park East appealed. This court dismissed for lack of a final, appealable order because the judgment did
not grant Howell’s motion to compel and did not order Park East to produce any documents. See Howell v. Park E.
Care & Rehab., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 102111, 2015-Ohio-2403.
Request for Production of Documents 6: [L.W.’s] original nursing home chart
during his entire residency.
Request for Production of Documents 7: Documentation of any incidents in
which [L.W.] verbally and/or physically threatened, abused, assaulted, and/or
otherwise attacked anyone at the nursing home.
Request for Production of Documents 9: Documentation in any incident,
investigation, or abuse file which contains reference to [L.W.] or any incident
involving or otherwise pertaining to [L.W.]
Request for Production of Documents 11: documentation reported to the Ohio
Department of Health relative to [L.W.], including any reports of injuries of
unknown origin or suspected abuse to that individual.
Request for Production of Documents 14: Billing that was sent out relative to
[L.W.].
Request for Production of Documents 15: Documentation of amounts paid
relative to [L.W.].
Request for Production of Documents 20: Incident reports and/or witness
statements relative, in any way, to [L.W.].
Interrogatory 5: Identify and describe any and all instances in which [L.W.], at
any time, verbally and/or physically threatened, abused, assaulted, battered, and/or
otherwise attacked anyone in the building or on the premises of the nursing home,
or exhibited any type of aggressive behavior. (Collectively referred to as “the
disputed records”).
{¶6} Park East filed a motion for a protective order, arguing that the disputed records
are privileged under: R.C. 2317.02 (physician-patient privilege); R.C. 3721.13 (Ohio’s Nursing
Home Residents’ Bill of Rights); Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996
(“HIPAA”); 2 R.C. 2305.252 (peer review privilege); and R.C. 2305.253 (incident report
privilege). In opposition, Howell filed a motion to compel. Howell asserted that R.C. 3721.13
2
42 U.S.C. 1320d and 45 C.F.R. 164.512.
does not create a records privilege, R.C. 2317.02 is inapplicable because Howell is not seeking
communications, that production of medical records pursuant to a court order does not violate
HIPAA, and that the records are otherwise discoverable.
{¶7} The trial court conducted a legal analysis of the issues. Without conducting an in
camera review of the disputed documents, the court ruled that the documentation of conduct is
not barred by the physician-patient privilege, and that Howell’s interests in obtaining the
documents outweigh L.W.’s confidentiality interests. The court also ruled that R.C. 3721.13
does not create a records privilege, and that HIPAA is not violated if discovery is ordered by a
court. The court granted Howell’s motion to compel and denied Park East’s motion for a
protective order.
{¶8} Park East’s first assigned error raises various privilege claims. We shall address
each argument in turn.
Standard of Review
{¶9} Although discovery orders are generally reviewed under an abuse of discretion
standard, the issue of whether information sought is confidential and privileged from disclosure
is a question of law that should be reviewed de novo. Med. Mut. of Ohio v. Schlotterer, 122
Ohio St. 3d 181, 2009-Ohio-2496, 909 N.E.2d 1237, ¶ 13. Accord Schlotterer at ¶ 13
(considering claim based upon R.C. 2317.02); Large v. Heartland-Lansing of Bridgeport Ohio,
L.L.C., 995 N.E.2d 872, 2013-Ohio-2877, ¶ 35 (7th Dist.)(considering claim based upon R.C.
3721.13); Dauterman v. Toledo Hosp., 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-10-1167, 2011-Ohio-148, ¶ 10
(considering claims based upon R.C. 2317.02 and HIPAA); Bailey v. Manor Care of Mayfield
Hts., 2013-Ohio-4927, 4 N.E.3d 1071, ¶ 11 (8th Dist.) (considering claim based upon R.C.
2305.252 for peer review documents, and R.C. 2305.253 for risk management and incident
reports).
R.C. 2317.02
{¶10} Park East argues that the records are privileged under R.C. 2317.02, and this
privilege extends to third parties such as L.W. Park East asserts that the court’s decision is
erroneous, under Roe v. Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, 122 Ohio St. 3d 399,
2009-Ohio-2973, 912 N.E.2d 61, and Bednarik v. St. Elizabeth Health Ctr., 7th Dist. Mahoning
No. 09 MA 34, 2009-Ohio-6404. In opposition, Howell argues that this statute is inapplicable
herein.
{¶11} Pursuant to R.C. 2317.02, a physician cannot testify “concerning a communication
made to the physician * * * by a patient in that relation or the physician’s * * * advice to a
patient.” The statute defines “communication” as “acquiring, recording, or transmitting any
information, in any manner, concerning any facts, opinions, or statements necessary to enable a
physician or dentist to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or act for a patient.” R.C. 2317.02(B)(5)(a).
{¶12} In Biddle v. Warren Gen. Hosp., 86 Ohio St. 3d 395, 402, 1999-Ohio-115, 715
N.E.2d 518, the Ohio Supreme Court reviewed privilege claims after a hospital released patient
medical information to a law firm in order to determine Supplemental Security Income
eligibility, and possible payment to the hospital. The Biddle court held that “an independent tort
exists for the unauthorized, unprivileged disclosure to a third party of nonpublic medical
information that a physician or hospital has learned within a physician-patient relationship.” Id.
at paragraph one of the syllabus. The court also held:
In the absence of prior authorization, a physician or hospital is privileged to
disclose otherwise confidential medical information in those special situations
where disclosure is made in accordance with a statutory mandate or common-law
duty, or where disclosure is necessary to protect or further a countervailing
interest that outweighs the patient’s interest in confidentiality.
Id. at paragraph two of the syllabus. The court reasoned that “‘[a]lthough public policy favors
the confidentiality [of medical information], there is a countervailing public interest to which it
must yield in appropriate circumstances.’” Id. at 402, quoting MacDonald v. Clinger, 84
A.D.2d 482, 487, 446 N.Y.S.2d 801 (1982).
{¶13} However, in Roe v. Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, 122 Ohio St. 3d
399, 2009-Ohio-2973, 912 N.E.2d 61, the Ohio Supreme Court held that its decision in Biddle
did not create a right of discovery of confidential medical records of nonparties and did not
permit the parents suing an abortion provider to obtain medical records of other patients. The
court stated, “[t]he balancing test in Biddle * * * applies only as a defense to the tort of
unauthorized disclosure of confidential medical information and does not create a right to
discover confidential medical records of nonparties in a private lawsuit.” Roe at paragraph one
of the syllabus. Further “[a]ny such exception to the physician-patient privilege is a matter for the
General Assembly to address.” Id. at ¶ 47. Accord Bednarik (reversing a decision releasing
nonparty’s laboratory results).
{¶14} The Roe court also recognized that a number of cases improperly applied Biddle to
discovery situations. Id. Accord Cepeda v. Lutheran Hosp., 123 Ohio St. 3d 161,
2009-Ohio-4901, 914 N.E.2d 1051.
{¶15} In 2010, the Ohio Supreme Court recognized that the physician patient privilege
does not provide an “absolute protection against disclosure of medical information.” Ward v.
Summa Health Sys., 128 Ohio St. 3d 212, 2010-Ohio-6275, 943 N.E.2d 514, ¶ 30. In Ward, the
plaintiffs sought discovery of a nonparty’s (physician’s) records to determine whether he was the
source of the plaintiff’s infection. The court held that,“R.C. 2317.02(B) does not protect a
person from having to disclose his or her own medical information when that information is
relevant to the subject matter involved in a pending civil action,” and that “[a] potential tortfeasor
cannot use his or her status as a nonparty to prevent discovery of information that could shed
light on whether he or she is the actual tortfeasor.” Id. at ¶ 28-29. In distinguishing Roe, the
court stated:
The medical records of the nonparties in Roe were not subject to discovery,
because (1) R.C. 2317.02(B) prohibited the health-care provider from releasing
them, (2) no statutory exception to the privilege applied, and (3) the nonparty
patients had not expressly given their consent to the release of their records.
Id. at ¶ 31.
{¶16} In accordance with the foregoing case law, R.C. 2317.02(B) does not protect a
nonparty from having to disclose his or her own medical information when that information is
relevant to the subject matter involved in a pending civil action. Ward. The balancing test of
Biddle applies only as a defense to the tort of unauthorized disclosure of information, and not a
right to discover confidential information from the nonparty. Moreover, there is “no
bright-line rule” that permits discovery of privileged medical documents of nonparties.
Skorvanek v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. & Corr., Ct. of Cl. No. 2014-00845, 2017-Ohio-2694, ¶
23-24, 31. In Storvanek, an inmate sought discovery of a nonparty inmate’s medical records in
a lawsuit against the department of rehabilitation and correction alleging failure to prevent an
attack upon Skorvanek. Following a detailed analysis of the controlling case law, and an in
camera inspection of the documents, the court stated:
neither Biddle nor Roe advances Skorvanek’s contention that, as a matter of law,
for purposes of discovery he is entitled to the confidential medical records of [the]
nonparty to this action. * * * [Additionally,] Ward held * * * “that under the
circumstances of this case, R.C. 2317.02(B), the physician-patient privilege, does
not preclude discovery of medical information from a patient.”
Id. at ¶ 28-29.
R.C. 3721.02
{¶17} Park East also asserts that the records are privileged under R.C. 3721.13, of the
Nursing Home Patients’ Bill of Rights. In opposition, Howell argues that this statute does not
create a statutory privilege.
{¶18} R.C. 3721.13(A) states in pertinent part:
(A) The rights of residents of a home shall include * * *:
***
(10) The right to confidential treatment of personal and medical records, and the
right to approve or refuse the release of these records to any individual outside the
home, except in cases of transfer to another home, hospital, or health care system,
as required by law or rule, records.
{¶19} In Rothstein v. Montefiore Home, 116 Ohio App. 3d 775, 689 N.E.2d 108 (8th
Dist.1996), this court held that the right granted under this provision is “enforceable through a
civil action by ‘any resident,’” and could not be asserted by the estate of a former resident.
Additionally, we note that in Large, 2013-Ohio-2877, 995 N.E.2d 872, the court analyzed the
reports provision of R.C. 3721.02 and held that it did not create a privilege or forbid discovery.
Id. at ¶ 21.
HIPAA
{¶20} Park East next argues that discovery of the requested records is barred by
HIPAA, and that it faces civil liability under HIPAA if it produces L.W.’s medical records.
Howell maintains that disclosure is permitted under HIPAA when ordered during the course of a
judicial proceeding.
{¶21} The key provisions of HIPAA establish the following prohibitions:
(a) [To knowingly:]
(1) [use or cause] to be used a unique health identifier;
(2) [obtain] individually identifiable health information relating to an individual;
or
(3) [disclose] individually identifiable health information to another person[.]
{¶22} However, the HIPAA privacy regulation, 45 C.F.R. 164.512, allows disclosure
of protected health information in the course of any judicial or administrative proceeding in
response to a court order. See Grove v. Northeast Ohio Nephrology Assoc. Inc., 164 Ohio
App.3d 829, 2005-Ohio-6914, 844 N.E.2d 400, ¶ 22 (9th Dist.).
R.C. 2305.252
{¶23} Park East asserts that under R.C. 2305.252, peer review committee records are
not discoverable. In opposition, Howell maintains that this argument was not raised below, and,
in any event, there is no evidence that the requested documents were prepared by, or for the
exclusive use of, the nursing home’s peer review committee.
{¶24} In this matter, although the peer review and incident report privileges were not
briefed, these issues were raised in Park East’s general objections to discovery.
{¶25} Under R.C. 2305.252,
Proceedings and records within the scope of a peer review committee of a health
care entity shall be held in confidence and shall not be subject to discovery or
introduction in evidence in any civil action against a health care entity or health
care provider[.] * * * No individual * * * shall be permitted or required to testify
in any civil action as to any evidence or other matters produced or presented
during the proceedings of the peer review committee.
{¶26} However, “Ohio courts have been adamant that merely labeling a committee * * *
‘peer review’ is insufficient to meet the burden of proving that the privilege applies.” Smith v.
Cleveland Clinic, 197 Ohio App. 3d 524, 2011-Ohio-6648, 968 N.E.2d 41, ¶ 23 (8th Dist.). A
party claiming the peer-review privilege, at “a bare minimum” must show that a peer-review
committee existed and that it actually investigated the incident. Id. at ¶ 13. The party must
also establish that the documents being sought were prepared by or for the use of a peer review
committee. Bailey, 2013-Ohio-4927, 4 N.E.3d 1071, ¶ 26. Moreover, the documents or
records are not completely outside the scope of discovery, and are available from the original
source of the information. Fravel v. Columbus Rehab. & Subacute Inst., 2016-Ohio-5807, 70
N.E.3d 1161, ¶ 15 (10th Dist.), citing Doe v. Mt. Carmel Health Sys., 10th Dist. Franklin No.
05AP-435, 2005-Ohio-6966, ¶ 16.
R.C. 2305.253
{¶27} Park East next asserts that under R.C. 2305.253, incident reports are not
discoverable. In opposition, Howell maintains that this argument was not raised below, and, in
any event, the records were not incident reports prepared for the use of a peer review committee.
{¶28} R.C. 2305.25(D) defines an “incident report” or risk management report as “a
report of an incident involving injury or potential injury to a patient as a result of patient care * *
* , that is prepared by or for the use of a peer review committee * * * within the scope of the
functions of that committee. (Emphasis added.)
{¶29} Under R.C. 2305.253(A), an incident report or risk management report is not
subject to discovery in, and not admissible in evidence in the trial of, a tort action, and the
individual who prepares such report shall not be required to testify in a tort action as to the
contents of the report.
{¶30} Only a document prepared by, or for the use of a peer review committee is deemed
an “incident report” and is considered privileged and nondiscoverable. Manley v. Heather Hill,
Inc., 175 Ohio App. 3d 155, 2007-Ohio-6944, 885 N.E.2d 971, ¶ 27 (11th Dist.). In order to
invoke this privilege, the party claiming the privilege must show that it had a peer review
committee, the peer review committee investigated the matter, and the documents sought were
incident reports prepared for use by a peer review committee. Id. at ¶ 22. Accord Rinaldi v.
City View Nursing & Rehab. Ctr., Inc., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 85867, 2005-Ohio-6360, ¶ 20-22.
Department of Health Licensing Reports under R.C. 3721.17
{¶31} Park East next argues that the requested records include reports issued for the
Department of Health and are not discoverable under R.C. 3721.02. In opposition, Howell
asserts that inspection and investigation reports may not be used in court, but are still
discoverable.
{¶32} R.C. 3721.02(F) provides that:
[T]he results of an inspection or investigation of a home that is conducted under
this section, including any statement of deficiencies and all findings and
deficiencies cited in the statement on the basis of the inspection or investigation,
shall be used solely to determine the home’s compliance with this chapter, [and
such statement and findings] shall not be used in * * *
Any court or in any action or proceeding that is pending in any court and are not
admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding unless that action or
proceeding is an appeal of an action by the department of health under this
chapter[.]
{¶33} In Large, 2013-Ohio-2877, 995 N.E.2d 872, the court extensively analyzed this
provision and held that it does not create a statutory privilege protecting the reports from
discovery, but is instead an evidence exclusion provision.
In Camera Review
{¶34} In applying the foregoing to this matter, we note that the trial court did not
require Park East to produce the documents for an in camera review. As this court noted in
Dubson v. The Montefiore Home, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 97104, 2012-Ohio-2384, the “blanket
release of all medical and financial records” was unreasonable. Id. at ¶ 18. Moreover, an in
camera document review for relevancy and privilege is considered the “best practice.” See
Sessions v. Sloane, 789 S.E.2d 844, 856 (N.C. Ct. App. 2016). Accord Doe v. Mt. Carmel
Health Sys., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 03AP-413, 2004-Ohio-1407. The Doe court held that the
in camera review has been deemed the most appropriate way to determine if a privilege applies.
Id. at ¶ 12. The trial judge may make the necessary determination without compromising the
confidentiality of any information found to be privileged. Id. at ¶ 13. This practice also creates a
complete record that would allow this court to conduct a meaningful review of whether a
privilege is applicable to the documents at issue. Id.
{¶35} In Trangle v. Rojas, 150 Ohio App. 3d 549, 556, 2002-Ohio-6510, 782 N.E.2d 617
(8th Dist.), this court held that the trial court erred in ordering “complete” responses to the
second set of interrogatories and request for production of documents without first conducting an
in camera inspection to determine the privileged matters. Similarly, in Johnson ex rel. Estate of
Johnson v. Univ. Hosps. of Cleveland, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 80117, 2002-Ohio-1396, this
court held that the trial court erred by compelling the disclosure of the incident reports in toto
without conducting an in camera inspection of the records. Additionally, in Bailey,
2013-Ohio-4927, this court held that the issue of whether or not the requested records fall within
the purview of the peer review privilege is a decision best determined by an in camera review of
the documents. Id. at ¶ 37. The Bailey court also outlined the in camera procedure. Id. at ¶
38, citing Cleveland Clinic Health Sys.-E. Region v. Innovative Placements, Inc., 283 F.R.D.
362, 365 (N.D.Ohio 2012).
{¶36} In accordance with all of the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court’s blanket
order to provide discovery of all of the disputed records, without an in camera review, was
erroneous. We conclude that the disputed documents must be analyzed in the first instance by
the trial court for each of the privilege claims, as well as for relevancy. Additionally, we
caution that even if the trial court again concludes, following an in camera review, that the
documents must be produced, information concerning other patients as well as social security
numbers and other sensitive information must still be redacted from the records. Accordingly,
we reverse and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
{¶37} The court’s judgment is reversed and the matter is remanded for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
It is ordered that appellant recover from appellee costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate be sent to the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court
to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the
Rules of Appellate Procedure.
PATRICIA ANN BLACKMON, JUDGE
MELODY J. STEWART, J., CONCURS;
EILEEN T. GALLAGHER, P.J.,
CONCURS IN JUDGMENT ONLY
WITH SEPARATE OPINION ATTACHED
EILEEN T. GALLAGHER, P.J., CONCURRING IN JUDGMENT ONLY:
{¶38} I concur with the majority’s decision to remand this matter for the trial court to
conduct an in camera review of the disputed documents. However, I write separately to address
my belief that the trial court’s judgment improperly relied on the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision
in Ward v. Summa Health Sys., 128 Ohio St. 3d 212, 2010-Ohio-6275, 943 N.E.2d 514, for the
proposition that the medical records sought from the nursing home were not absolutely privileged
under R.C. 2317.02(B).
{¶39} Civ.R. 26(B) states that “[p]arties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not
privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action.” “Medical
records are generally privileged from disclosure under R.C. 2317.02(B)(1),” known as the
physician-patient privilege. Med. Mut. of Ohio v. Schlotterer, 122 Ohio St. 3d 181,
2009-Ohio-2496, 909 N.E.2d 1237, ¶ 14. The statute states that a “physician, advanced practice
registered nurse, or dentist” cannot “testify” about a “communication” made to one of those
people. R.C. 2317.02(B)(1). The definition of “communication” includes medical records. R.C.
2317.02(B)(5)(a).
{¶40} In an effort to address the trial court’s reliance on Ward, a summary of relevant
Ohio Supreme Court cases is necessary. As referenced by the majority, in Biddle v. Warren
Gen. Hosp., 86 Ohio St. 3d 395, 715 N.E.2d 518 (1999), paragraph two of the syllabus, the Ohio
Supreme Court held:
In the absence of prior authorization, a physician or hospital is privileged to
disclose otherwise confidential medical information in those special situations
where disclosure is made in accordance with a statutory mandate or common-law
duty, or where disclosure is necessary to protect or further a countervailing
interest that outweighs the patient’s interest in confidentiality.
Id. at 402.
{¶41} Approximately ten years after Biddle was released, the Ohio Supreme Court issued
Roe v. Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region, 122 Ohio St. 3d 399, 2009-Ohio-2973, 912
N.E.2d 61, to clarify its decision in Biddle. Roe at paragraph one of the syllabus. In Roe, the
plaintiffs sought medical records of nonparties from a health-care provider. Relying on Biddle,
the plaintiffs claimed that disclosure of the medical records was necessary to protect or further a
countervailing interest that outweighed a patient’s interest in confidentiality. Id. at ¶ 46. No
one disputed R.C. 2317.02’s applicability; the Roe plaintiffs sought medical records from a
health-care provider. Id. at ¶ 26. Instead, the question was whether to apply the exception to the
privilege that had been created in Biddle.
{¶42} After careful consideration, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected plaintiffs’ reliance on
Biddle, stating,
paragraph two of the syllabus in Biddle addressed the defenses to the tort of
unauthorized disclosure of confidential medical information — i.e., the
circumstances under which a physician or hospital may release confidential
medical records in the absence of a waiver without incurring tort liability.
Biddle did not create a litigant’s right to discover the confidential medical
records of nonparties in a private lawsuit. Any such exception to the
physician-patient privilege is a matter for the General Assembly to address.
(Emphasis added.) Id. at ¶ 48.
{¶43} Thus, the Ohio Supreme Court held that R.C. 2317.02 prevents a litigant from
“discover[ing] the confidential medical records of nonparties.” Id. at ¶ 48. “The balancing test
in Biddle applies only as a defense to the tort of unauthorized disclosure of confidential medical
information and does not create a right to discover confidential medical records of nonparties in a
private lawsuit.” Id. at paragraph one of the syllabus.
{¶44} Based on the unambiguous language expressed in Roe, I would find Biddle does
not advance the trial court’s contention that appellee is entitled to the privileged medical records
of L.W., a nonparty to this action. Because this case does not involve a defense to the tort of
unauthorized disclosure of confidential medical information, the trial court’s reliance on the
balancing test expressed in Biddle was misplaced.
{¶45} In a further effort to avoid the ramifications of Roe and R.C. 2317.02(B), the trial
court’s decision relied extensively on the Ohio Supreme Court’s decision in Ward, 128 Ohio
St.3d 212, 2010-Ohio-6275, 943 N.E.2d 514. In Ward, the plaintiff sought discovery of a
nonparty-physician’s personal medical records to determine whether he was the source of the
plaintiff’s infection. “The issue for [the court’s] review concern[ed] the patient’s ability to
obtain discovery to determine the source of his exposure.” Id. at ¶ 1. The court noted that the
testimony was being sought from the surgeon about his own medical information in his capacity
as a patient, not in his capacity as a physician. Id. at ¶ 26. The court held that in construing
the statutory privilege strictly, it does not protect a patient from disclosing their own medical
information when relevant to the subject matter of the action. (Emphasis added.) Id. at ¶ 27.
In distinguishing Roe, the court stated:
The medical records of the nonparties in Roe were not subject to discovery,
because (1) R.C. 2317.02(B) prohibited the health-care provider from releasing
them, (2) no statutory exception to the privilege applied, and (3) the nonparty
patients had not expressly given their consent to the release of their records.
Id. at ¶ 31.
{¶46} In its July 2017 order, the trial court acknowledged that the plaintiff in Ward
“sought a potential tortfeasor’s own testimony about his health records,” while in this case,
appellee “is asking the nursing home to produce a third party’s medical records.” Nevertheless,
the trial court found Ward persuasive, stating:
Despite these differences, Ward ultimately stands for the proposition that a third
party’s medical records are not subject to an absolute privilege.
{¶47} After careful consideration, I would find the trial court’s interpretation of Ward
ignores the longstanding precedent of Roe. Contrary to the trial court’s position, Ward only
applies to factual situations where the medical information is requested from the patient — not
the medical facility or physician. Ward is clearly distinguishable from the facts of this case.
Unlike Ward, this case involves an order requiring the nursing home to produce the records of
one of its patients who is not a party to this case. As such, this case presents a factual scenario
analogous to Roe and falls directly under the protections afforded under R.C. 2317.02(B).
While I agree that Ward states that the physician-patient privilege does not provide an “absolute
protection against disclosure of medical information,” the exception is narrow and factually
driven. Thus, I disagree with the trial court’s reliance on Ward. This case does not contemplate
a request from the nonparty patient to disclose his or her own medical information. Therefore,
Ward is not implicated.
{¶48} Based on the foregoing, I would apply the Ohio Supreme Court’s express
determination that R.C. 2317.02 prevents a litigant from “discover[ing] the confidential medical
records of nonparties.” Roe, 122 Ohio St. 3d 399, 2009-Ohio-2973, 912 N.E.2d 61, at ¶ 48.
{¶49} Accordingly, I would find the trial court erred in determining that the nursing home
was required to produce information concerning or involving L.W.’s medical records. With that
said, however, I agree that an in camera review is necessary to determine which documents
qualify as medical records.