Reverse HIPAA

[NormaSaline]

Hi Everybody,

I have a question on HIPAA - but with a twist, so it might actually not be a question on HIPAA.

I have a friend whom I'd like to refer for care at the facility where I work. I know she can't be referred to me (RN) in any way, but my question is, can I brief the medical provider about this friend's background? The reason I ask is that normally I would not even mention this, but there are one or two key key facts that I bet this friend will leave out in the intake/initial interview. Can I ask the provider if there are any blanks I can fill in?

Thanks!

NS

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Why would the friend not reveal "two key facts"?

[Dany102]

Hello NormaSaline,

I don't think this would be a good idea. I have no doubt you mean well for your friend but you may being doing her a huge disfavor by giving information to the care provider which you obtained in confidence from your friend (or however you came to learn about this). Imagine if she ever finds out you've been giving those away.

If you believe this information is relevant to your friend's health (in the sense that it would make sense to mention it), try instead to convince her to bring it up. But thread lightly.

Dany

[NormaSaline]

Ok, that's good advice, thanks. Yes, these are key facts related to the person's health and no, I did not learn about them in confidence. This person is inebriated every day by 5 or 6 in the evening, plain for all to see, but the appointment would be before then. Still, good advice.

[Psychcns]

Does your friend know you are concerned about her drinking. Have you considered referring her to a place where you don't work? Then you could ask to accompany her to the appt for example. Best wishes.

[NormaSaline]

Thanks. The choice of provider/place is complicated by lack of funds, and it's kind of a long story. I haven't explicitly talked to my friend about their drinking, but I will have to soon. I have broached the subject and got slapped down in a major way, it's very difficult. Thank you.

[Psychcns]

There is an organization called Al-anon. For family and friends of alcoholics. Free. Anonymous. You might want to check it out. Alcoholics can be very difficult to be family or friends with.

[RiskManager]

I would not do it. Your friend will probably find out it was you. I get this situation all the time: someone calls the clinic and says 'Don't say that I told you this, but your patient is selling their benzos/drinking a fifth a day/scamming you for narcotics'. We bring the patient in for a visit and tell them about the phone call, before we do the no-notice urine drug screen or the like. Regardless of what you tell the provider, they may believe there is an ethical or clinical need to disclose the information to the patient.

[Psychcns]

If you go to al-anon try at least 6 meetings to see if it suits you. You will learn about how to take care of yourself, how to be a friend within enabling. You will learn slogans like "everyone has their own higher power" (including your friend), "You didn't cause it, you can't control it, you can't cure it " (her drinking). "One day at a time" and how to not take on other people problems. Best wishes.

[NormaSaline]

Thank you to all who have replied. Many interesting considerations were brought up that I hadn't thought of and that I will definitely consider. But your comment RiskManager was the sort of advice I had in mind when I originally posted. This makes sense because it goes to the relationship between the provider and the patient and that the provider must deal directly with the patient and probably should not be relying on secondary sources. I see that. Thank you.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the HIPAA forum for more responses and feedback.