Have you ever witnessed this situation?

Nurses Relations

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I went to the pharmacy to pick up a new prescription. When my name was called the pharmacist came out, opened the medication package, announced what it was for, held it up in front of everyone, and proceeded to give me detailed instructions on how to take it. I was so shocked, I couldn't say anything. I just stood there nodding. The pharmacist was still talking, everyone was standing around looking and I finally said, "Thanks, but I can read the instructions." He said, "Okay, if you have any questions, give us a call." I grabbed my prescription and left. Now I am so mad that I didn't stand up to him and tell him that he can't do that. He did the same thing to the person before me but I was on the phone and not paying much attention but I was thinking that she probably had questions about the medication, but the pharmacy is a small community pharmacy and there is no private area for counseling and I could hear everything he was telling her. He did not announce what kind of med it was but I could practically figure it out.

I believe that this all happened because I went to a free clinic for my annual exam because I am currently uninsured. The pharmacy is next to the free clinic and they told me they could call the script in there and I could just go next door to get it, so I agreed. I think that this pharmacist assumes that he is dealing with a certain kind of customer because most of his business is sent from the free clinic. I feel like his intentions were good for trying to educate people on their medications but he should first ask them if they have any questions regarding the prescription (not just whip the med out and start rambling about how to take it) and he should find a private area to counsel people on their meds. You can not do that in front of people.

A few months ago I was watching that show on ABC, What Would You Do? hosted by John Quinones. They did this same exact scenario. I remember thinking, what professional would ever do such a thing? Now I see.

Has anyone ever witnessed anything like this? What would you have done? I'm feeling like a wimp because I did nothing.

While we're on the subject of pharmacy teaching, has anyone noticed them pre-checking the little boxes that say you've been counseled or refused counseling ? I call them on that and then sign my name with ALL my credentials!!!

Since I am an older nurse from the Dinasour era, this does not apply to me..but my younger friends have encountered Pharmacist who would not even fill their birth control prescriptions..it was against their religon..I thought this was against the law, apparently it is'nt..and I also would have filed a complaint with the owner of this store. Not taken the medication home..leave without paying for it..go elsewhere..and if necessary, tell next druggist you wish privacy if he has to speak to you..yes, sad as it is..some are just plain stupid..sad this must be done..learn to leave nothing to chance....we have train tracks near by..and a sign had to be posted, NOT TO PARK ON THE TRACKS..I laughed so hard..it made my day..and the world gets worse as one gets older. Had closed caption on my tv..due to loss of hearing..thought it might help me..However who ever was hired to type it..had so many mistakes typed, one could not make out what was being communicated..so had to get rid of it..hang in there..and learn to see the humor in it all...bluewillow7

It was clearly a violation of HIPAA and to add more wood to the fire, sounds like the OP's integrity was at stake. More so that she could not openly complain to the pharmacists face. Bottom line is, OP should have picked up the phone and complained up to her last breath.

I too was uninsured once and had to go to "free" clinics. I must admit the quality of service you do receive from some places, note some not all is down right outrageous. But it's up to you to speak your mind and stand for what you believe in and especially for what is right, being that HIPAA was clearly violated. Regrets come in too late sometimes. Should've, would've, could've....

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Maybe pharmacists should not talk so loudly, should not automatically go into teaching mode? Patients can query them by phone if they need to.

That is the fault of the pharmacist, and all it would take is a simple "can you please talk quietly?" request from the customer to reel them in. That's what I've done whenever I felt that was necessary. So yes, a shouting pharmacist is outright wrong.

Regardless, people do need to be realistic: one can't expect a public pharmacy to automatically permit the same level of privacy as a doctor's office. Yes, all efforts should be made to make sure that a consultation is kept as private as possible...and most of the time it succeeds.

But it is also on the part of the customer to speak up if they are not comfortable with either settings or pharmacy staff, and request a private consultation or if possible, take their business elsewhere (I've done that too).

Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.

For all those who c/o the HIPAA violation, there will be an equal number complaining of the horribly long wait when the pharmacist has to "consult" privately with half the customers.

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This is shameful. A few years ago the pharmacy tech called out from behing the shelf that my birth control pills would be ready in just a few minutes. Whether anyone thinks I should have been or not- I ws mortified! This was an absolute violation of my privacy. I never went to that pharmacy again but should have filed a compliant immediately before leaving the pharmacy with the manager.

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
But I don't understand what you expected that pharmacist to do. Maybe try politely telling him you don't need instructions on taking the med? And I think he *has* to verbally verify your name and the name of the med as he hands it to you. I would imagine that is part of a pharmacy's safety protocol.

Where I go to get my meds, a pharmacy tech verifies your name and birthday, they never state what med they are giving you...it says so on the package, but they never announce it (I'm guessing if their was some sort of a problem/question they would say the name of the med, other wise they don't). Most of the people picking up an Rx. don't even speak with the pharmacist, unless they have a specific med related question.

Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

I'd like to think he's not targeting you because you're uninsured and using the free clinic for your healthcare needs. Surely there's a director somewhere that you can address your concerns to, I'd start there so they can educate or refresherize (yes, I made that up, LOL) him on what is legally acceptable when dispensing medications.

I went to the pharmacy to pick up a new prescription. When my name was called the pharmacist came out, opened the medication package, announced what it was for, held it up in front of everyone, and proceeded to give me detailed instructions on how to take it. I was so shocked, I couldn't say anything. I just stood there nodding. The pharmacist was still talking, everyone was standing around looking and I finally said, "Thanks, but I can read the instructions." He said, "Okay, if you have any questions, give us a call." I grabbed my prescription and left. Now I am so mad that I didn't stand up to him and tell him that he can't do that. He did the same thing to the person before me but I was on the phone and not paying much attention but I was thinking that she probably had questions about the medication, but the pharmacy is a small community pharmacy and there is no private area for counseling and I could hear everything he was telling her. He did not announce what kind of med it was but I could practically figure it out.

I believe that this all happened because I went to a free clinic for my annual exam because I am currently uninsured. The pharmacy is next to the free clinic and they told me they could call the script in there and I could just go next door to get it, so I agreed. I think that this pharmacist assumes that he is dealing with a certain kind of customer because most of his business is sent from the free clinic. I feel like his intentions were good for trying to educate people on their medications but he should first ask them if they have any questions regarding the prescription (not just whip the med out and start rambling about how to take it) and he should find a private area to counsel people on their meds. You can not do that in front of people.

A few months ago I was watching that show on ABC, What Would You Do? hosted by John Quinones. They did this same exact scenario. I remember thinking, what professional would ever do such a thing? Now I see.

Has anyone ever witnessed anything like this? What would you have done? I'm feeling like a wimp because I did nothing.

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
For all those who c/o the HIPAA violation, there will be an equal number complaining of the horribly long wait when the pharmacist has to "consult" privately with half the customers.

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Your honestly saying that keeping down 'complaints' about waiting time is more important than people's privacy?? While the former is a bothersome complaint a HIPAA violation is, potentially, a major fine or worse.

HIPAA has its issues, but I am kinda surprised by people who write off a major violation by saying "it's no big deal" or "it happens all the time."

I was a pharmacy manager for over ten years. This is a clear Hippa violation. Please report it.

from E How.com

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted to minimize fraud and regulate standards in health care information. It also requires privacy for patients in regards to the handling of medical documents. If you suspect a violation of your HIPPA rights, you can file a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Complaints must be made in writing, but are accepted through mail, fax or email. You may use the forms available on the Office of Civil Rights website or write your own complaint

Read more: How Do I Report a HIPAA Violation? | eHow.com How Do I Report a HIPAA Violation? | eHow.com

I have one better my fiance and I went to pick-up her medicine and attached to her bag was all the medication with all the personal information for all the prescripitions sent in that day and when we return it all the tech did was say I don't know how that got attachted to that no thank you or anything kinda look at me like I did something wrong go figure

I would call the pharmacist and explain how he made me feel. He might not realize how insensitive he is. If he gives you hard time I would call the supervisor and just keep going up the chain of command until I was satisfied the problem was taken care of. I would call because I think I would feel stronger and less likely to be embarrassed. Plus if you have to go there again they wouldn't know wh complained. Kathleen

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