Woman sues after syphilis diagnosis posted on Facebook

CINCINNATI -- An Ohio woman whose medical record was posted to Facebook - revealing her name and a syphilis diagnosis - has sued the hospital where she was treated and the worker accused of accessing her file.

The 20-year-old Cincinnati woman filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Hamilton County court.

She says she refused to tell her ex-boyfriend why she was being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. She says he then contacted another woman he was romantically involved with who worked at the hospital.

The lawsuit says the worker accessed the woman's medical record and gave it to her ex. It was then posted to a Facebook page about allegedly promiscuous women.

The hospital says the employee was fired and that they've notified federal authorities about the case.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the medical center's CEO, Lee Ann Liska, released a statement, saying the hospital is "outraged that anyone might misuse a position with UC Health to attempt to embarrass or cause harm to another person. This is contrary to our ethic and the training we provide to our associates, and we took immediate action as a result."

The Enquirer reports that attorney Michael Allen said that his client is seeking damages in excess of $25,000.