School disclosed private (health) information without my consent

Nursing Students General Students

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I am on my last year of nursing school, and every beginning of the semester we need to update our health forms. I recently dropped off my (health assessment papers, test results) to my instructor and to my surprise, she used one of the forms as an example to one of my classmates. The instructor made a copy of my original document, and TRIED to scratch off my name, but as my classmante showed me, one could CLEARLY see my name, my diagnosis, my test results, name of the clinic I went to, name of the doctor who signed off my form, etc.

I do not know how to proceed in this case. I know that is was not intentional, but at the same time I feel violated by having my document being showed to a third party (thank God my friend in this case)...What should I do? Just let the incident go? Am I making a big deal out of it? I don't want to suffer retaliation later either....Please help.

I would report it personally. If it happened to you, it could happen to someone else as well. Good luck!

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I would report it, but not make a big deal about it. As you said, it was an accidental violation of your privacy, not an intentional. You probably want an apology and you want to prevent future violations ... but you probably don't want to cause serious problems for the person who made the mistake and/or political fallout for yourself. So ... point out the error, but do so nicely.

llg

Like llg said, report it. Point out the error, but don't make a big deal about it. It was most likely unintentional, but still misguided on this person's part.

You do still have to finish you education with these people.

Sadly, if a student had made this type of error, they most likely would have been booted from the program.

As a NS student we are required to follow the laws of HIPPA, so are our instructors. I would first discuss it with instructor. You have another year there and I'm sure you don't want to rock the boat. I would remind her of HIPPA, ask her to give you the form so that YOU can shred it. Express to her you want to make sure it's not used for future examples. If that does not resolved the situation then I would discuss it with the Chair of your program.

I agree. A quiet and private discussion with the instructor should take place. She apparently doesnt know how to use data correctly and may do it again.

I personally would not shred the evidence. I would hold on to it in the event you do have to take it to a higher level in the school for any reason after that discussion.

I personally would not shred the evidence. I would hold on to it in the event you do have to take it to a higher level in the school for any reason after that discussion.

Good point!

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Please talk with the instructor responsible for this horrible blunder. No excuse in this issue. Being an educator, I would NEVER do something like this. I am outraged.

Saying that........IF and a HUGE IF......something like that happened to me, I would appreciate the face-to face discussion from the student involved and be prepared for a HUGE apology on my part.

Again, I am OUTRAGED!!!!!!!!

Oh, BTW........it is HIPAA. (smiley face)

Oh, BTW........it is HIPAA. (smiley face)

LOL! Thanks! :chuckle

Our clinical instructor requires each of us to carry a Sharpie to black out identifying information on any copies of lab reports she gives us as soon as we get them. That way we can't accidentally violate HIPAA with a name or date of birth. She's very strict and very good.

A face-to-face conversation and the personal presentation of a black Sharpie (99 cents at Staples) shows that you, as a student, not only recognize the problem, you recognize the solution. What more could any instructor ask?

Thank you, Thank you very much for all the replies!

To: rohan, sunnyjohn, knl6/25/05, jsteine1, llg

Yes I am going to schedule a meeting with the instructor and bring my "proof" and my concerns to her attention, and hopefully prevent this event from happening again. Thanks for the moral support.

To Siri: I am putting myself on her shoes and "Doing unto others as you would have others doing unto you". Thanks for the input :)

Reddy: I Also appreciate the the black sharpie tip! :)

I'll let you know what she said after our meeting on tuesday (august 30th).

Good fortune KKA22. I will be praying for you.

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