hipaa

[rockdmag]

Does anyone Know if it is a hipaa violation to inform a physician about patient diagnosis?

My physcian was getting ready to perform an invasive endoscopy test and he takes his gloves off after probe is place, but he continues to manuiplate the probe with bare hands. I informed him to "keep gloved up " due to patient's diagnosis. I was reported, and fired. needless to say I am devistated. I thought this was ok due to "need to know basis"

[morte, LPN, LVN]

why wasn't the doc aware to begin with? And why would he remove gloves prior to finishing?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

The bigger question is......

Why on GOD's good earth is he using his bare hands?????? :eek:

What a creep factor! I think your were fired because you called out the MD on bad practice. I'd be calling the Board of Health and reporting that MD to the medical board before he causes harm....if he hasn't already.

He should KNOW the patients Dx for he should have performed a H&P prior to the procedure....he is caring for the patient so that places him firmly in the need to know category......and why would he not use gloves:banghead:.....YUCK!

[RNKPCE]

No this is not a HIPAA violation, the doctors needed to know and was actively involved with the patient's care. Did they say you were fired for HIPAA violation?

[Sadala, ADN, RN]

I think that most patients would appreciate their physician using precautions REGARDLESS of the patient's status - but perhaps even more so for a patient who is already compromised in some manner. There isn't just a risk to the physician. There is also risk to the pt, and risk to other patients if the physician is generally this careless.

And plus - just REALLY, REALLY gross!

(As someone who has had endoscopy under sedation, the mere thought of this really freaks me out btw)

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Well I don't see how that could be a HIPAA violation as the doctor was obviously involved in this patients care. As others have said it is more Likely they fired you for hurting his ego more than anything.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

How would this be a HIPAA violation? It was necessary to share this information with the doctor. Who reported you?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Not a HIPAA violation. Not. Not, not, not, and if they told you it was, they are wrong or they are lying for some reason. Health information related to care or diagnostics being given is not a HIPAA violation. The diagnosis was probably in his chart anyway. Regardless, the gloves ought to have stayed on, or if contaminated, ought to have been changed for fresh.

Perhaps part of the problem was that you said he should wear gloves "because of the pt diagnosis," when in reality he should have been wearing gloves because universal (now standard) precautions are standard of care. He may have taken exception to your telling him he had to wear them, or maybe he thought that you should have known that anyway and now is worried about your knowledge (I doubt that he gives a dang about your knowledge level, though). You are sure that it was this patient with the diagnosis you mentioned?

I'll bet he complained and I'll bet he brings in a lot of money to that facility (endoscopy is a huge money-maker), so to keep him happy they fired you.

I agree you should report this to the board of medicine and cc the risk manager at the facility. If you're really fired up about it and you are dead certain sure there are no other complaints or poor evals about you before this, think about a whistleblower action, for which you should consult a lawyer via your malpractice insurance (you DO have malpractice insurance, right?). Just so you know you'll never get work there again.