I work in a very rural hospital with maybe 2 or 3 patients on the floor at a time. My son LOVES to visit me at work and walk down to the laundry with me or walk to the kitchen to pick up supplies, however I don't let him in the ER with me if we have patients there for many reasons.
A couple weeks ago he asked if he could read to the swing bed patients on the floor. I thought that was sweet (he is 7) so I talked to the social worker who was more than happy with the idea. We then ran it by the Administrator of the hospital and he was also thrilled. Then it reached the DON. She said there was no way he would be allowed to do this because it violates HIPAA. She gave me about a million reasons why it violated HIPAA but I'm confused because my son isn't going to be in there talking about the patients medical history he is going to read them a book.
It's my understanding (and please correct me if I'm wrong) if the patient signs the PIH form, it's not a violation to state that a patient is in the hospital (assuming they checked "yes" to the directory), however it is a violation to discuss with others the medical aspect of the patient. However, just acknowledging the fact they are present and accounted for in the hospital doesn't violate HIPAA or the Privacy Laws right????? Because this is what she states I would be violating by allowing him to come in and read to the patients, despite the fact we would be getting permission before he even stepped foot in the room.
I was also told by the DON that I was violating a million things whenever I allowed my son to walk to the kitchen with me or to the laundry room for supplies, even though we do not cross any areas where patients are located????
Please, someone help me make sense of this madness
