Ethical/Personal Dilemma - What would you do?

Nurses HIPAA

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Hello everyone- I need some insight on what to do on this event that occurred 3-4 weeks ago.Currently a RN student in my last semester; there is a friend ( X) in my program whom also works at one of the local hospitals which I do as well. During one of her shifts, X sent me a message stating that one of the patients in her floor was the husband of one of our past professors and whom we were supposed to have as a professor this last semester again. She told me in this message that the patient had been admitted a day before with X Diagnosis and also suffering from X and Y. I felt weird because even though she is a friend, I felt that its not right for her to be sharing that kind of information with me so I told her that she should be careful and respect patient confidentiality.1 week later school started and we find out that this professor will not be teaching our class for a personal issue.. While walking to class on campus, Y, another friend from the program tells me that this professor is probably not going to teach the class because her husband is sick, maybe pretty sick.. As not knowing, I asked Y how did she know, which she replied.. Oh, X told me... That made me feel even more uncomfortable because to be honest I really care for this professor, we have built a great relationship. A few hrs later I find out that X had not only told me, but also to Y and to Z.. Not sure if she mentioned it to more people or not..She violated HIPAA, Hospital Policy and Patient's rights... Should I mention this to my professor? That X told several of our class about her husband's condition? Should I contact the nurse manager of her floor and mention what X mentioned to me and several others? If I dont do it because she is a friend, I will be failing one of my duties as a healthcare provider and preventing this from happening in the future.. I would be very ****** off and upset if someone was leaking information from a family member..If I do say it and she gets fired from her work I will feel guilty, and what if she gets kicked off the program? She has done certain things in the program that I was not happy about in the past, like cheating while on an exam with another student and the professor had a serious talk with them..I just don't know what to do?? What would you do?Tell the professor? Tell her Nurse Manager? Thanks in advance.

HIPAA is not taken seriously enough, & you already tried directly addressing her about the issue. In my opinion, the next appropriate step is to bring it to the attention of the nursing school. Cheating & violating HIPAA - red flags that this person lacks the character/ethics needed to move forward into nursing.

I would not turn her in. But I would distance myself from her. You don't want to get caught up in her mess.

When she texted the protected info to your phone you became an accessory.

While texting is not secure, unless you forwarded that message or shared that message with others intentionally, I doubt you'll be punished for unexpectedly receiving personal health information. I would not let that hold you back from doing what you feel is right.

I personally wouldnt turn her in,yes what she did is absolutely wrong!! However I wouldnt want the guilt of someone losing her job or even get fined because I opened my mouth. Someone else will hopefully beat you to it.

She has no business going around texting or telling ppl other people's private business!!!I am sorry she put you in this situation. Do what you think is best.

Specializes in ER.

I would not say anything to her employer because you are not involved there, but I would most definitely tell the director of the nursing program about it. This is extremely unethical behavior and should not be tolerated on any level.

She violated a most sacred trust, and should not be allowed to remain in the nursing program. You would not be responsible if she is removed from the program or lost her job as a result. She is the one exhibiting the behavior. You are simply the one who recognized it for what it was. I would not want this person to share the title of Registered Nurse with me.

I personally wouldnt turn her in,yes what she did is absolutely wrong!! However I wouldnt want the guilt of someone losing her job or even get fined because I opened my mouth. Someone else will hopefully beat you to it.

She has no business going around texting or telling ppl other people's private business!!!I am sorry she put you in this situation. Do what you think is best.

What?! You pretty much said, "I know this is wrong, but I refuse to take responsibility for fixing it because I'm scared someone won't like me anymore." If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

OP, this is one of the many responsibilities you assume as a nurse. Protecting patients' privacy. Do it.

Specializes in Med Surg, PCU, Travel.

I know and admit I am totally ignorant on this but I think its stupid for you to turn her in, what exactly are you trying to gain from this? Maybe she gave too much info but are you trying to tell me nurses never talk about patients amoungst themselves? Maybe she was just so worried about it and just had to tell someone because she too felt awkward. If ANY of you say you don't or never shared info you all are liars. Some nurses go right back to their husbands/wives and talk all they want, maybe its not exactly the same but it is still a violation, people are human. Maybe the girl just told you because she sees you as a peer in the field, its not like she broadcasted it on the local news papers or anything like that like that other stupid nurse who got fired, maybe she should not have used personally identifiable infomation but still its a really awkward position.

Maybe someone can enlighten me, if a nurse has a case like this, is there some sort of confidential debriefing she could he gone over with a boss at work? What should have been the right steps for her to take in this situation? Its obvious something was bothering her and she needed to talk about it. Knowing myself I would feel totally awkward and pressured sitting in a class listening to a professor then knowing I go to work and I am responsible for their relative. I would feel like maybe to talk to the professor and tell them I an one of the nurses taking care of your relative if I had not already encounted them on the floor, in fact I would not know what to do.If everyone was like turning in each other, 90% of nurses would be out of work right now. Anyways thanks for the heads up to never trust my peers in nursing school. Gsss this is a backbiting field!

Man-nurse2b HIPPA is there to protect patients and sharing anything that identifies the patient is really seriously wrong. We are not here to gossip. The person in question didn't just gossip with one person but many and created a very unprofessional unhealthy environment because of her lack of insight and selfishness. OP turn her in.

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I would discuss with the head of nursing. This is a serious offense. They will investigate, but that does not mean she loses her job. If you hesitate on this person you will always find a reason for the next one not to speak up. Then one day you will be involved and get in trouble too.

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I know and admit I am totally ignorant on this but I think its stupid for you to turn her in, what exactly are you trying to gain from this? Maybe she gave too much info but are you trying to tell me nurses never talk about patients amoungst themselves? Maybe she was just so worried about it and just had to tell someone because she too felt awkward. If ANY of you say you don't or never shared info you all are liars. Some nurses go right back to their husbands/wives and talk all they want, maybe its not exactly the same but it is still a violation, people are human. Maybe the girl just told you because she sees you as a peer in the field, its not like she broadcasted it on the local news papers or anything like that like that other stupid nurse who got fired, maybe she should not have used personally identifiable infomation but still its a really awkward position. Maybe someone can enlighten me, if a nurse has a case like this, is there some sort of confidential debriefing she could he gone over with a boss at work? What should have been the right steps for her to take in this situation? Its obvious something was bothering her and she needed to talk about it. Knowing myself I would feel totally awkward and pressured sitting in a class listening to a professor then knowing I go to work and I am responsible for their relative. I would feel like maybe to talk to the professor and tell them I an one of the nurses taking care of your relative if I had not already encounted them on the floor, in fact I would not know what to do.If everyone was like turning in each other, 90% of nurses would be out of work right now. Anyways thanks for the heads up to never trust my peers in nursing school. Gsss this is a backbiting field!
I won't even address your post - if/when you get into nursing school, you will have a better understanding of the issues addresses.For now, I suggest this: imagine that your mother/daughter/wife is hospitalized in very serious condition. Now imagine going to class one day and discovering that all of your fellow students know about and are discussing your loved one's medical conditions in great detail. How would you feel?

You should have a HIPPA officer at your place of employment. I suggest starting with that person because you both were at work when this occured not in clinicals -otherwise I would say go to the Dept head of your nursing program. Again, I'd talk w/the HIPPA officer and see what they advise. I suspect this is not the first time this person has violated HIPPA and sounds like his/her moral and ethical compass isn't working all that well overall anyway. Good luck.

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
However I wouldnt want the guilt of someone losing her job or even get fined because I opened my mouth.

I am on the fence about reporting this person; however, I have to totally disagree with this logic. Now you need to decide what transgressions are bad enough in your mind where you feel the need to report someone. 'X' was aware of HIPAA. She knew that a violation of HIPAA could mean losing her job. She committed a huge violation of the statute. You knew that she committed a major violation. Give management or the school the facts. They make the decision to terminate the person from their job/school. She put herself in that position. Why would it be you fault if she lost her job?

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