Those HIPAA rules are a bitc#. You wouldn't believe the hoops I had to jump through as the FMLA Coordinator in my Co. I don't know a single lawyer willing to challenge a company for enforcing HIPAA. And that's before you add the religious overtone complaint.
We terminated a 20+ year 'ee about 7 yrs ago for taking home a CD with 'ee address/phone #'s. He used this info everyday and was working on a program to improve a database. Noting nefarious, just neglected to tell his boss that he was going to finish the project at home.
That being said, with the years of service your wife had at that Hosp., this treatment still seems harsh (though my wife was once terminated for allowing her crucifix necklace to fall out of her scrubs once while she was tending to a Christian patient in a non Christian facility).
Get the lawyer and let him/her do the talking for you. Your job is to help your wife get through this. It's got to be difficult for her!
