Have you ever witnessed this situation?

Nurses Relations

Published

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.

A lot of folks in this thread don't have a great deal of concern for what is legal, or they potential liability they're exposing themselves and their employer to by having such a cavalier attitude. But then, is anyone concerned with ethics? Suppose it were legal for a pharmacist to hold up your anti-retrovirals and lecture you on HIV in a loud voice, toward a croweded room. Would you think it was right or wrong, or would you be indifferent to it?

In a small town, someone's career might be over if your illness becomes grist for rumor mill. That's not the only problem with violating medical privacy, though.

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I think that everyone agrees (?) that the pharmacist should not broadcast the fact that he is giving someone an Rx for certain meds (viagra, antiretrovirals, etc...).

However, what about antibiotics. While the pharmacist might know that it is for bronchitis (antibiotics for bronchitis is another discussion), maybe someone else hears the Rx being called and they know "hey, that is what they give for some STD." Now, not only was the pt's privacy been violated, there is now a juicy rumor about them 'on the street.'

What about an even more innocent appearing med, such as lisinopril? Mary, who has had heart issues before is now getting an Rx for lisinopril filled, which the pharmacist 'announces' to anyone in earshot. Seems innocent, who cares? Well, Mary's mother's neighbor is passing by and hears this. The neighbor goes back and tells the mother. The mother is furious because Mary "must" be keeping a worsening of her heart condition from her mother and the mother is hurt. Yes, it seems dramatic. Yes, it may seem like a silly scenario. However, something like this could happen. Now who cares if the pharmacist yells out that someone is getting a lisinopril script? Well, based on the family drama that may have been created, Mary cares....and I don't think anyone else can say the she does not have the right to be upset about it.

Pharmacies are covered entities. It sounds like they just need better training or common sense...or both.

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.

What she expected the pharmacist to do was respect her privacy. Talking in a lower voice would have prevented the occurrence. I am appalled at the lack of sensitivity. If I were in that situation, I would have cut him off mid-sentence and said, "this isn't Showtime, lower your voice.". I imagine any poster here would want that same level of courtesy if placed in a similar embarrassing predicament. This is textbook HIPAA violation. In fact, this pharmacist sounds like the star of the HIPAA education video.

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

The OP's feelings are a reminder of how careful healthcare providers need to be regarding privacy and confidentiality.

To those saying don't pick your prescriptions up at a chain store - doesn't work and shouldn't matter. For rural people the Walmart, etc, may be all you have. The pharmacy has to be HIPAA-compliant. When I get my Rx's at Walmart, most customers stay behind a line on the floor, allowing for privacy, and the pharmacist talks in a low voice if I'm at the consultation window, off to the side. I've done 2 things before: I have asked the pharmacist to speak more softly, and I have TOLD customers to get behind the line when they breech the line, encroaching on my privacy.

OP - was there no line on the floor providing distance between shoppers and the pharmacy consultation window?

Hipaa is an important part of healthcare. Privacy is sometimes not always what we would like it to be or ideal. Even in the pharmacies that have that little line that people need to stand back 400 feet from or whatever, if one would like to be an active listener, then they will be. Unless there are private consultation rooms, this will always be an issue. Much like ER's (which another poster mentioned) as nurses we have to give the education on meds too. And in that case, the patient on the other side of the curtain can not only hear that education, but every symptom, test, explaination...

If I am ill and hoofing my sick self to the pharmacy, the last thing I care about is what someone is getting for a medication. These are people I will more than likely never see again. Don't care what they are on, and could care less about much more than I need my prescription so I can get back home to bed. Not everyone is privvy to what a medication even is, and more so with generic name varieties of drugs. Most people in pharmacies that I have noticed are just annoyed at the wait. Many more are multi-tasking, on the phone, texting, or just too sick to care. Speak to the pharmacy manager should you be concerned about people overhearing. It is much like buying condoms, feminine hygiene products, lice treatments.....they all gotta go up on the belt, after you cart them around the store in your grocery cart on display.

You give people a lot of credit. Most are too busy in their own lives, caught up in their own medical drama to be an active listener in your health care issues at the pharmacy.

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

You give people a lot of credit. Most are too busy in their own lives, caught up in their own medical drama to be an active listener in your health care issues at the pharmacy.

I disagree. I live in a small town, and chances are I know 1/3 of the people standing line at the Walmart pharmacy. And small town people are the nosiest lot you'll ever meet.

Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.
OP - was there no line on the floor providing distance between shoppers and the pharmacy consultation window?

There was no line, but the place is so small there's no room for one. The seating area is like 3-4 ft from the counter but there's only a few seats so everyone else stands around right next to the counter or form a line behind the counter.

I agree with those whom have opposed the pharmacist. I take medication for Hypothyroidism, and when I pick my Rx up, I would be appalled if the pharm tech announced the medication, like " attention adipose tissue heffer, your medication is ready!" It is not acceptable, irregardless of what med it is. Period.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Ok, completely off topic, but I have to mention this. Guys, the word 'irregardless' does not exist. I am sorry for interrupting the regular broadcast for it, but that 'word' just makes me grind my teeth! I am really not the grammar police, but I had to say something after noticing a few people say it on here! Alright, rant done. Let the flames begin!

Specializes in FMF CORPSMAN USN, TRUAMA, CCRN.
Ok, completely off topic, but I have to mention this. Guys, the word 'irregardless' does not exist. I am sorry for interrupting the regular broadcast for it, but that 'word' just makes me grind my teeth! I am really not the grammar police, but I had to say something after noticing a few people say it on here! Alright, rant done. Let the flames begin!

Sorry to burst your bubble Jeweles26, but you need to check on Wekipedia and some of the newer versions (latest prints) of Websters, American Heritage, etc and you will find the word IRREGARDLESS, in all of it's glory. I guess it's a case of misuse a word long enough and it too will become a word.

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Oh lord. Well then, after looking at the Wiki for it, that simply means that people misuse it from its actual literal meaning. But just because colloquialisms appear in the dictionary does not make them proper English. I am in no means a scholar of the English language, but would prefer to avoid the use of words that are incorrect, or to be warned about a word I use inappropriately. Ok, now back to the original topic lol.

+ Add a Comment