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HEALTH PROVIDERS at risk without “SAFE HIRING” practices

background SCREENING UNCOVERS applicants’

CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDs

Chatsworth, CA, April 24, 2001—Health care providers have reason to practice “safe hiring”

according to the results of study released today which shows that 11.5% of employment applicants (better than

one in ten) carry criminal records, whether felony or misdemeanor. Other than those offering in-home health

care, health providers are not required by law to conduct criminal searches. However, the study validates

precautions taken by organizations that conduct such screening anyway. The study was conducted internally

by InfoLink Screening Services, Inc., a nationwide screening company and provider of background screening

to over 1,200 health care facilities across the country.

“The security measures of health care providers are a consumer issue,” states Barry Nadell, President

and co-founder of InfoLink Screening Services. “If you are a patient or related to one, you want to feel

comfortable with the people delivering that care. More and more providers are taking advantage of

background screening to ensure that the environment they offer to both their patients and staff is a secure

one.”

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Major findings of the study reveal that of those with criminal records, auto-related crimes were the

largest category of offence at 34.8%, followed by theft/fraud offences at 20.8%. Crimes of violence or

threatened violence accounted for 15.4% of the crimes uncovered. Another 14.9% were caused by alcohol and

narcotics offenses. The remaining 14.5%, classified “miscellaneous”, included crimes such as prostitution,

violation of probation, contempt of court, criminal trespass and others.

Within the largest category of automotive-related crimes, key sub-categories included DUIs accounting

for 42.3% of offenses, unlicensed drivers for 19.5% and driving with a suspended license for 18.1%.

The theft/fraud category of convictions was split between theft convictions of 78.3% (including theft,

grand theft, petty theft, shoplifting, burglary) and fraud convictions of 21.7% (including forgery, welfare

fraud, passing worthless checks)

Convictions in the violence/threats category consisted mainly of battery (44.1%) or public disturbance

(35.3%); the latter category including arson, fighting in public, resisting arrest, disturbing the peace and

creating a public nuisance.

The study addressed 1,920 applications from fifteen randomly selected California providers. Each

organization had processed over 100 applicants dating from as early as April, 1999, to the present. The study

addressed searches of criminal records only and did not include other types of screening such as DMV

records, Social Security identity checks, credit checks, or checks of past employment and education which can

also be run by prospective employers. The report is one in a series conducted by InfoLink to identify and

address the employment screening requirements of specific industries it serves.

Employers may not deny employment to an applicant strictly due to a past conviction or convictions,

unless their profession is one where laws prohibit hiring those with criminal backgrounds, or unless the

employer can show the conviction relates directly to the position applied for. However, many applicants

disqualify themselves by attempting to conceal past convictions which are nevertheless uncovered during

background screening by a professional consumer-reporting agency.

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About InfoLink:

InfoLink is a nationwide provider of background screening, drug and alcohol testing programs and products, drug awareness training for employers, behavioral assessments and employment physicals. The company offers excellent service, fast turnaround of information, legal compliance and competitive pricing.

InfoLink developed it’s The HIRE ProgramÒ to provide the latest online technology allowing clients to request background searches, view reports in progress, view completed reports, print reports anytime or store reports online via InfoLink's secure Web site.

For more information on InfoLink call 818/800-990-HIRE (4473) or visit www.infolinkscreening.com.

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