Breach of patient confidentiality or privacy?

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Hello everyone!

I am not sure if I posted this in the right place. I just wanted to talk about a situation that happened when I had clinical. There was a doctor that entered the elevator and saw one of his patients. He went on to ask if he was okay discussing his care in the ELEVATOR and that the nursing students shouldn't mind. I just wanted to know if this was in anyway a violation in HIPAA or confidentiality (because he did great the patient by his name). Also would privacy be an issue as well?

Thank in advance for the replies!

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Specializes in ICU.

How? He asked his permission. I'm confused by your post maybe. The doctor asked his patient for his permission to discuss his medical history with nursing students? If he asked permission why is it a violation? To me, he did what he was supposed to do.

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He asked us if it was okay but we didnt answer and it was in the elevator. The doctor continued to talk to the patient about his care with other staff members and visitors entering the elevator. Sorry I left out that part. Would this constitute for a breach?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
He asked us if it was okay but we didnt answer and it was in the elevator. The doctor continued to talk to the patient about his care with other staff members and visitors entering the elevator. Sorry I left out that part. Would this constitute for a breach?

If the patient took issue it would be a problem. Since the patient participated in a conversation about their healthcare in a public area there is no breach, there is no confidentiality issue, there is no violation. The patient consented by entering the conversation therefore no issue

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