HIPPA and the Allnurses.com Forums

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Lately I have been thinking about this issue.

How kosher is it that we chat about our patients on this public forum?

Being a recent grad I am so used to the educational environment of discussing patients amongst peers, and I think a lot of people feel that is the case here, however how much is too much?

I try very, very hard NOT to list patient stories, even though some of them I would love to tell. I reserve one special story about my first loss of a patient to cancer for sharing because I know he would want me to continue to learn and grow from his experience. (His life and advice caused me to pursue a few major goals, like moving six states from home to be with the one person in the world for me, my fiancee).

How do you personally deal with the need to explain stories, but not violate confidentiality?

Taitter

Addendum: Since a lot of people will read the initial post, and then comment (which is fine) I feel I need to clarify. This thread is about HIPPA and the forums, incited by a post which discussed in detail a patient and thier situation. I was attempting to point out how easy it is to ascertain information on a patient by knowing where the POSTER is posting from (ie city, state etc).

I used myself as an example, I previously posted my location, in my profile because I DO NOT discuss my patients in an open forum. Therefore the risk of a HIPPA violation for me is not something I feel I run the risk of. Therefore I do not feel is completely necessary to conceal my city, especially a large metropolitan area.

My post was misconstrued and became a conversation about my personal "anonymity" values.

I have removed my location now just because now I DO suddenly feel there might be more of a personal risk here than I previously thought. I guess we tend to think we, personally, are safe among our peers, but I have rethought this.

I don't often start posts, I prefer to stay in the First Year Nursing category and offer support there as I have just completed my first year and have some insight into newbie fears.

I am not sure if this clears things up, but if this thread continues to be about me personally I will have to ask for it to be removed.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I just keep in mind not to reveal information that would make the patient individually identifiable.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

This is a section from the Allnurses Terms of Service that applies to this concern.

No potentially libelous information about specific schools, instructors, or health care facilities/entities should be posted in these forums. While it is important to be able to network, everyone should be mindful of the following:

1. It is a small world - when we narrow it down to a state and throw in some personal info, there is actually a pretty good chance someone may recognize you if you are not careful. Your privacy is paramount to us.
   
2. While allnurses.com is a wonderful place to vent (without excess personally identifiable details) it is not the place to express why ("x" specific person, place or program) is terrible. Gripe away, but since we cannot permit allegations to be made about named entities, your care in not naming them is very much appreciated.
   
3. Please do not give out personal information about others. Do not name names where anyone could identify the person in any facility including your nursing programs.

All members need to be mindful of this with regard to HIPPA violations.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Ok so riddle me this, they told us in school that it takes two factors to identify a patient. These can be as simple as a room number and meds, I would think we give out way more information on here than that, if you take into account most of us reveal enough information for readers to know where we work (roughly, I don't hide that I am in Atlanta), the type of floor we are on (narrow down Cardiac and you can pretty much peg where I am at) and then from there you can figure the floor since most cardiac is on specific areas.

So at least for me, if I told a story, TECHNICALLY one could narrow it down to about 100 pts just by knowing my profile. Then like I have heard before, if anyone from your hospital or area peruses this very popular forum they might be able to ascertain who you are talking about and call a violation if they wanted to.

Just some thoughts, but then again I tend to have a great paranoia side.

Time to get ready for work!

Taitter

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Ok so riddle me this, they told us in school that it takes two factors to identify a patient. These can be as simple as a room number and meds, I would think we give out way more information on here than that, if you take into account most of us reveal enough information for readers to know where we work (roughly, I don't hide that I am in Atlanta), the type of floor we are on (narrow down Cardiac and you can pretty much peg where I am at) and then from there you can figure the floor since most cardiac is on specific areas.

So at least for me, if I told a story, TECHNICALLY one could narrow it down to about 100 pts just by knowing my profile. Then like I have heard before, if anyone from your hospital or area peruses this very popular forum they might be able to ascertain who you are talking about and call a violation if they wanted to.

Just some thoughts, but then again I tend to have a great paranoia side.

Time to get ready for work!

Taitter

Very good points, Tait!!! That's why it is important to be very careful what you post here.

[Jules A, MSN]

So at least for me, if I told a story, TECHNICALLY one could narrow it down to about 100 pts just by knowing my profile. Then like I have heard before, if anyone from your hospital or area peruses this very popular forum they might be able to ascertain who you are talking about and call a violation if they wanted to.

Just some thoughts, but then again I tend to have a great paranoia side.

Time to get ready for work!

Taitter

I'm not so sure its paranoia as much as being mindful of our responsibility and protecting your patients confidentiality and your license. Your consideration is something I would really appreciate in a professional...or maybe thats just what I tell myself when I get squirrely over some of the unnecessary details that I see posted.

[nghtfltguy, BSN, RN]

I just keep in mind not to reveal information that would make the patient individually identifiable.

what eric said!!!

[PMHNP10]

Ok so riddle me this, they told us in school that it takes two factors to identify a patient. These can be as simple as a room number and meds, I would think we give out way more information on here than that, if you take into account most of us reveal enough information for readers to know where we work (roughly, I don't hide that I am in Atlanta), the type of floor we are on (narrow down Cardiac and you can pretty much peg where I am at) and then from there you can figure the floor since most cardiac is on specific areas.

So at least for me, if I told a story, TECHNICALLY one could narrow it down to about 100 pts just by knowing my profile. Then like I have heard before, if anyone from your hospital or area peruses this very popular forum they might be able to ascertain who you are talking about and call a violation if they wanted to.

Just some thoughts, but then again I tend to have a great paranoia side.

Time to get ready for work!

Taitter

you really do have to be careful, not just that a pt. could be identified but if you vent about a coworker or boss, etc. that they might be on this forum as well. If I recall, someone has lost their job due to recklessly posting on this MB; or maybe I'm delusional or something. Nonetheless, it could happen.

[nghtfltguy, BSN, RN]

Ok so riddle me this, they told us in school that it takes two factors to identify a patient. These can be as simple as a room number and meds, I would think we give out way more information on here than that, if you take into account most of us reveal enough information for readers to know where we work (roughly, I don't hide that I am in Atlanta), the type of floor we are on (narrow down Cardiac and you can pretty much peg where I am at) and then from there you can figure the floor since most cardiac is on specific areas

well... you are right about hippa and all that...

you are also putting yourself out there... you don't have to say where you work,.. or what city you are from...that was your call... and always will be on these forums...

this is private for nurses.... you know how to handle it...

don't give too much information if everyone knows where you are and what you do....

look @ my profile........

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I believe that we do have to be careful not to mention any identifying information about a patient, but can relay a general story. This is a nursing forum where we support, vent and educate each other, and the TOS is our guide.

I don't read in every forum here on allnurses, but from the posts and threads I have read, I was not able to identify who, what or where people are discussing. I do remember once, one of the moderators removed a thread I initiated because it was too identifying. At first, I didn't think so, but then it was called to my attention, I realized that it may have actually been, and it was removed for both, mine and their better interest. Since then, I try to think before I type, and think again before I press 'send'.

Personally, I learn a great deal from reading and hearing other people's experiences. It sticks better that way, and I feel that I am learning and interacting in a casual, anonymous setting.

[ktwlpn, LPN]

Ok so riddle me this, they told us in school that it takes two factors to identify a patient. These can be as simple as a room number and meds, I would think we give out way more information on here than that, if you take into account most of us reveal enough information for readers to know where we work (roughly, I don't hide that I am in Atlanta), the type of floor we are on (narrow down Cardiac and you can pretty much peg where I am at) and then from there you can figure the floor since most cardiac is on specific areas.

So at least for me, if I told a story, TECHNICALLY one could narrow it down to about 100 pts just by knowing my profile. Then like I have heard before, if anyone from your hospital or area peruses this very popular forum they might be able to ascertain who you are talking about and call a violation if they wanted to.

Just some thoughts, but then again I tend to have a great paranoia side.

Taitter

THis is why you should not include your city/state in your profile.Georgia is a big state-you could say you are a "Georgia-urbanite" We have had instances on the board where posters had problems at work-you can't be too careful...

[Larry in Florida]

Lately I have been thinking about this issue.

How kosher is it that we chat about our patients on this public forum?

Being a recent grad I am so used to the educational environment of discussing patients amongst peers, and I think a lot of people feel that is the case here, however how much is too much?

I try very, very hard NOT to list patient stories, even though some of them I would love to tell. I reserve one special story about my first loss of a patient to cancer for sharing because I know he would want me to continue to learn and grow from his experience. (His life and advice caused me to pursue a few major goals, like moving six states from home to be with the one person in the world for me, my fiancee). And what school did you attend?

Larry in Fla

How do you personally deal with the need to explain stories, but not violate confidentiality?

Taitter

And what school did you attend?

Larry RN in Fla