Am I allowed to acknowledge I know a friends family member because I've taken care of him?

Nurses HIPAA

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Sorry if that sounds confusing. A friend of mines grandfather passed away recently and she posted about it on Facebook. She is aware he has had health problems that have led up to his passing, and she even visited him when he was at the hospital I work at (but on a different shift), but I don't think she knows that I work there. Am I allowed to post something like 'he was a wonderful person sorry for you're loss' (or something along those lines), when it will be obvious that I have taken care of him as a patient?

I know that was long winded. Basically what I am trying to ask, can I acknowledge that I knew who he was?

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I would privately send condolences if this is a personal friend. Speaking on his character is not violating HIPAA.

Sorry for your loss.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

You're allowed to post that you're sorry for her lost, that you know she must miss her grandfather and that you're thinking of her. And really, that's all you need to say. The rest is HIPAA protected.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

Short answer - nope.

Long answer - you cannot acknowledge that you knew him if you never met him through your friend. You would be violating HIPAA. You are welcome to state "I am so sorry for your loss" and end it there. Anything more and you are putting yourself in the position of being accused of violating HIPAA. There is absolutely no reason to say anything more anyway. At a time of loss just knowing someone is thinking of you and reaching out to express their sympathy is enough. Leave it at that.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I wouldn't. The price to pay for violating HIPAA is way too high.

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Sorry if that sounds confusing. A friend of mines grandfather passed away recently and she posted about it on Facebook. She is aware he has had health problems that have led up to his passing, and she even visited him when he was at the hospital I work at (but on a different shift), but I don't think she knows that I work there. Am I allowed to post something like 'he was a wonderful person sorry for you're loss' (or something along those lines), when it will be obvious that I have taken care of him as a patient?

I know that was long winded. Basically what I am trying to ask, can I acknowledge that I knew who he was?

Had you ever met the guy before you took care of him?

If the answer is no, then you CANNOT acknowledge anything about that you took care of him.

If you did, then you are simply acknowledging someone that you are already knew...that is never a HIPAA violation.

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