Pharm tech access to medical records

Nurses HIPAA

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So I can have a better understanding, what information can pharmacy technicians view in a patient's medical record when the patient comes to either a drive through or in store pick up line? Is it only the med they're refilling? Or all meds they're currently taking?

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I'm sure it varies based on pharmacy...my guess is that, in most cases, the Pharm tech sees the med they are "counting out" or giving to the patient at the register. The actual pharmacist will see all the meds a particular pt is on to determine interactions, safety, etc.

Then again, I would not be heartbroken if the tech could see all my meds (but that is just me talking).

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Specializes in PICU.

Depending on the facility, it may be necesarry for the pharm tech to know what medications you are taking. It will depend on what the employer states for employees. Soo, yes, it may be important to know all meds, not just the one they are filling.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

My guess would be that they can see all, because if I ask if my other prescription is due for refill, they pretty much always respond by butchering the generic medication name and then telling me when the refill is due.

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I was a lead pharm tech for 9 years before nursing school. Yes, the techs can see all the meds a patient is currently taking and all they have taken going back several years. We were not able to "see" rxs filled at other retail pharmacies, but a quick call to insurance or a check of the state's PMP (controlled drug reporting website) could allow access to that info if it were needed.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
I was a lead pharm tech for 9 years before nursing school. Yes, the techs can see all the meds a patient is currently taking and all they have taken going back several years. QUOTE]

On the off chance a pharm tech might catch a med error or contraindication that someone else missed, I think I'm happy that they can see my record.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
My guess would be that they can see all, because if I ask if my other prescription is due for refill, they pretty much always respond by butchering the generic medication name and then telling me when the refill is due.

This happens all the time. I also run into it at the doctor's office, with medical assistants and such. The meds that I take are not uncommon.

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