Medical records feared lost in Butler fire cause concern for doctor

BUTLER, Pa. (AP) -- Thousands of medical records were feared lost in a $20 million fire that destroyed a building that housed numerous medical offices.
"You don't want an investigator or a construction guy seeing a patient record that is confidential," said Dr. Marvin Baker, who had a cardiology practice in the Morgan Management Building. "Or have papers start blowing all over the neighborhood with sensitive information."
He said he hoped they were either destroyed or protected by fire-proof cabinets.
"If one page of a chart has information about HIV or shock therapy, you can imagine how a patient might feel if that information got out," said Dr. Baker, who estimated he had up to 5,000 charts.
Tenants did not know when they would be able to enter the building, which was destroyed June 20. Investigators were still searching for the cause of the fire. No one was injured.