Is being friends with a patient a HIPAA violation - page 2

I have heard of this being a policy issue. I have heard of this being an issue of professional relationship vs. friendship. If the friendship is based on meeting and getting to know someone on a professional level, then it is perhaps unethical to be outside "friends". However, if you meet someone who happens to be a nurse, then that nurse in turn becomes your health care provider, that is different. Which stinks, as there are lots of patients that I just think are awesome and funny and wonderful and could see becoming fast friends, but it is inappropriate. And it stinks.

.....eh, not necessarily unethical, more like conflict of interest.....I mis-spoke.