Arkansas nurse claims unfair treatment after she quarantined from COVID-19 exposure twice

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — An Arkansas nurse claimed Wednesday that her employer is not keeping her safe as she works during the coronavirus pandemic.

She tells KATV there are multiple examples of where she believes she is being punished for doing the right thing.

Carolyn Hill is a Licensed Practical Nurse and has been working at the Arkansas State Hospital for nearly five years. She said she never expected to be unfairly treated for keeping everyone safe.

In documents obtained by KATV, Hill talked about her experiences from being exposed to COVID-19 by a patient on two separate occasions, once in April and a second a time in July.

Hill said she was working in the Adolescent Unit when she was exposed by the patients who tested positive for COVID-19. She said she did not have the adequate PPE to treat that patient.

Hill said on both occasions she went to get tested for the coronavirus off site, but claimed she was punished for doing so.

“So I did the reasonable thing and looked out for myself as a nurse," Hill said. "It is my responsibility to ensure my health and wellness, and that I don't spread the virus to my family, co-workers, and my patients on the floor."

Last month Hill was given a letter notifying her that she was being investigated for missing 13 unscheduled absences. She said her employer knew that she was quarantined because of those exposures.

Hill said the first outbreak in her unit happened in June but COVID-19 testing for employees was not available until the first week of July. She said that was the reason why she went to get tested as a private citizen and that she reported she was getting tested to the staffing office.

Hill said later she discovered an infection control nurse obtained her test results before she could see them herself. Hill said she confronted the staff member for violating HIPAA.

“I told her, I said that's a HIPAA violation. How could you get my results before I get them? I called and they told me they couldn't give them to me over the phone because they didn't know who I was. I said whoever got those results, I need to know who they are and I need to see a copy of them,” Hill said.

Hill said she has filed a complaint to HIPAA twice but has not yet received a response.

Hill also said she was placed on administrative leave for not having proper paperwork.

Hill did reach out to State Representative Joy Springer who told KATV she was looking into this issue.

“I'm well aware that an African-American person is being adversely affected by this pandemic, so I thought it was only right of me to personally look into," Springer said.

KATV did reach out to the Arkansas State Hospital for comment but have not heard back.