When calling in are you asked "what's wrong with you"

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I'm calling into work for tomorrows shift. The House Sup (or whoever is in the office) asks "well whats wrong with you" Is that legal? Am I under any obligation to tell them so? Where's MY HIPPA protection?

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

Tell 'em you have anal glaucoma.

You just can't see your orifice coming into work...

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

The one hospital I work at just wanted to know if you had flu symptoms. Another hospital seemed like the grand inquisition to which I politely told them I'm sick and not coming in and that there was nothing further to discuss.

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Specializes in NICU.

When I call in, I am asked a series of SCRIPTED questions designed to identify communicable diseases about which the hospital may want to know (cough, fever, GI, etc.). If they don't apply, I just say no to each one, end of discussion. If I call in for a sick child, there are no questions.

"Scripted" is the key word above. It isn't the person on the phone being nosy, she's doing her job to gather data used to identify trends - mostly related to influenza.

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I just tell the I'm sick and will not answer their questions why. None of their business, period, unless it's contagious and I've been working.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I am only asked if I am ill or absent.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Nope...we have a no fault call in policy...we just say we are calling off.

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Sweet merciful God, this is the funniest thing I've read all year. Whew... I can't breathe, thanks for that :-D

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What are you talking about???

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Leave it to nursing... now we have to describe the reason we are sick!

#1 I am sick of working

#2 I am taking a mental health day

#3 I have the hershey squirts and cannot make the 45 minute drive

#4 I don't have to give any details.... I will not be in today!

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Specializes in Rehab, Geriatrics & School Nurse.
Tell 'em you have anal glaucoma.

You just can't see your orifice coming into work...

TOO FUNNY

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Specializes in Emergency.

We are not asked- unless there is some sort of "thing going around" like norwalk virus or Flu. I have called in a few times and my house sup did ask me a few questions, especially if it was a sore throat, as I sound like a honking goose when I get one....but it was not punative, she was just hoping I would feel better (Small place).

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