Hippa??

Brownms46 · May 11, 2004

Here is a link where you can read all about HIPAA

http://www.hipaa.org/

justjenny · May 12, 2004

I wonder if the pt (in the hospital) verbalized her home location to you, and the pt invited you to visit her whenever you are free, can you do so?? Under HIPPA, as a nursing student is it legal to visit the pt at the pt's home?

IMO this topic is not limited to legalities.....there are ethical issues involved.

Jenny

elkpark · May 12, 2004

My background is psych nursing, and we have a little different view of boundaries than other specialties, but I would never consider visiting a patient at home socially. I would strongly suggest you discuss that with your instructors at school and get guidance/advice from them before you do anything on your own ...

StacyKingRN · May 12, 2004

We just talked about this in class. Basically what my instructor said is if the patient invites you, it's o.k. but if you say something like "It would be nice to see how you're doing after your recovery. Maybe we could meet for coffee or something", that would be wrong.

The main reason she gave for this is that the patient may look up to you and think "this is the person who helped me feel better/saved me/rehabilitated me. I can't say no to her!" They may feel obligated.

Gompers, BSN, RN · May 12, 2004

In the NICU, we often exchange addresses and phone numbers with parents of babies who've been on the unit for a long time. It's such an intimate environment, and friendships are often born between moms and the nurses who care so lovingly for their infants. I've been to the homes of several NICU graduates on social calls to see how they are doing or have lunch with moms. Never really thought about who offered up the information first though, hmmmm...