HIPAA Violation? Article about nurses caring for Tsarnaev.

Nurses HIPAA

Published

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Moved to HIPAA forum.....

While I agree....in most cases it probably isn't a great idea to give interviews...as it could be construed as a HIPAA violation as it would reveal the hospital they were hospitalized in.....however...the entire world KNEW where this guy was hospitalized so that was public knowledge.

They only revealed their feeling and experiences which was personal to them. No HIPAA there. I'll bet dime to a dollar the hospital is allowing some interviews to take place as it is the only way to get the media out of their lap and get back to "normal".

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I read nurses talking about their caring for him as they would any patient. The description of care was generic for any injured critical care patient.

It is no secret that he was injured and hospitalized. No protected medical information was devulged.

We are the most trusted profession because people know that nurses will provide care as best we can to all patients.

Exactly.

It was public knowledge he was at Beth Israel. Someone had to care for him. They didn't share any personal information or their names.

In fact, they did the interview at the hospital!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

But privacy has been hammered into my brain from day one in nursing and this just seemed off to me . .. .to talk about caring for a patient and the unique struggles due to who he is.

Right there YOU just revealed as much private health information as they did. None.

Nurses don't take a vow of silence at their pinning ceremony. We're allowed to talk. We're just not allowed to reveal private health information.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They were commenting on a situation of international interest--and yet their stories were simply about their experience taking care of this human being. This patient, by the way, is not a celebrity, but a terrorist who wreaked death and havoc on many many lives and left a city devastated and the world with many questions.

By allowing themselves to be interviewed, these nurses provided a tangible, relatable, HUMAN perspective that I think can only help the world understand what has happened in Boston. I imagine they consulted a media representative for the hospital prior to the interview, which helped guide them through the HIPAA regulations and legal requirements necessary to tell an important story, while maintaining the integrity of their professional position.

I thin they did an awesome job and am grateful for their bravery in sharing their stories.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

The State Attorney General, who happens to be the Vice President's son, was brought to my facility after he suffered a stroke a few years ago. Somehow word got out about where he was treated and for what (while he was still in the ER!). For his own safety, (because of his family and fact that he had been a prolific prosecutor - plus it's pretty easy to guess which floor a stroke patient would be on!), he was transferred to another stroke center but the details weren't released.

I guess my healthcare system learned its lesson, because a relative of a high ranking official was admitted a little while later under an assumed name, with a confidential flag and was in a private room. The media did not find out this time, thank goodness! I admit it can be tough when talking shop with my nursing friends who don't work with me to spill the beans...that's why I wouldn't talk to media about my job. I might get caught up in the moment!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I appreciate all the replies everyone. :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What protected health information was given out?

That would be .... none. The focus of the article was on the feelings and stresses of those nurses.

BTW, I read it in the original when it came out in the Boston Globe and the reporter has a good reputation and the hospital facilitated the interviews but did not force any nurse to participate; The Globe is not the Daily News or the Sun, LOL. I have pretty good HIPAAntennae, and no warning flags for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I've only read the first page of responses, but it sounds like the nurses agreed to the interviews in conjunction with the hospital's administration and their legal/PR department. They didn't just go rogue.

Okay, off to read the rest of the thread.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment