bereavement care

[pooperscooperrn0624]

We are working on our bereavement care focusing on parents' support. We are puzzled with all the HIPPA violations how do handle a few issues. First, taking photos post mortum without consent. Many parents don't think they want photos but later regret it. We have taken pics with a disposable camera for them to develop when ready. Now we are being told this violates HIPPA.

Second, in the past we have given parents phone numbers of previous parents who have experienced the same (with their permission of course). This has been a great support for our parents. Now we are being told this also violates HIPPA.

How do you guys handle these issues and stay in HIPPA codes?

[cshell1964]

We are working on our bereavement care focusing on parents' support. We are puzzled with all the HIPPA violations how do handle a few issues. First, taking photos post mortum without consent. Many parents don't think they want photos but later regret it. We have taken pics with a disposable camera for them to develop when ready. Now we are being told this violates HIPPA.

Second, in the past we have given parents phone numbers of previous parents who have experienced the same (with their permission of course). This has been a great support for our parents. Now we are being told this also violates HIPPA.

How do you guys handle these issues and stay in HIPPA codes?

We do always get consent for bereavement photos. We do them with a digital camera.

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

I don't see how this is a violation of HIPPA if you take photos with a camera you give to the parents. How is privacy violated?

The phone number I can see.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

If you're taking the photos and giving the film straight to the parents, I don't see how that violates HIPAA any more than providing a parent with discharge paperwork that has a patient label on it.

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

Who is telling you that taking the photos then giving them to the parents is a HIPAA violation? We do that also, and it's never been a problem with HIPAA, as I don't see how giving them to the parents would be invading their privacy .....?

[LilPeanut, MSN, RN, NP]

Neither of those things are violations of HIPAA.

First, as part of our standard consents, we do have parents sign a consent to have their baby's picture taken. But beyond that, you are not publishing the photos, distributing them, naming the family, or anything in those photos. I cannot see how that would be a violation.

And giving them names/numbers of other families to call; as long as those families have consented to having their name/number given out, which I would certainly hope you would obtain, there cannot be a violation there either.

[kitty29]

I have been coordinating our bereavement program for many years and this is what we do: We always take pictures; we offer the hospital professional photographer also (he does a great job); we take digital, 35 mm film both - we have film if parents dont or run out. If parents don't want the pictures they are told they are kept for 2 years here...should they change their mind. This has happened in my 28 years in the NICU only twice.

If I can help you with anything mail me privately.