Call from a state surveyor

Specialties Geriatric

Published

So I worked in a facility on a temp agency contract for about three months last Summer and this week I had a voicemail from someone saying they're a state surveyor, asking me about care of a patient at the facility. She said the facility had given my phone number. I'm kind of weirded out by this - why would they be contacting me? Has anyone had this happen to them before? What should I expect - What info can I even really give over the phone (HIPAA? I don't even know if this woman really works for DPH?) I doubt I can even remember any specifics to questions she has for me... Thanks in advance for any insight

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Specializes in Dialysis.

Give no information to anyone! Find a lawyer, and if someone contacts you again, refer them to said lawyer. Say no more!

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Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

What Hoosier said. I'm pretty paranoid when it comes to privacy because there are some sneaky jerks out there and as you said you have no way to verify over the phone that this person is who they say they are. I always thought investigating authorities would reach out by phone to schedule an in person appointment to discuss as situation not do it over the phone.

I had one boss that would disguise her voice and call us asking for information on patients to see if we followed proper protocol for releasing information, so always trust your gut and follow the law when it comes to privacy!

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Thank you for your responses! I got in touch with the facility and learned it's related to an incident I did some follow-up paperwork for. I still think it's weird, I collected statements, incident report, etc so they need to refer to that. I can't go on the record 6 months later trying to answer questions. And yea I was really concerned with how do I verify who this is etc? Sounds like the investigation may be over, so maybe they didn't need to talk to me that badly. Thanks again

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Specializes in retired LTC.

No no no.

In today's weird society, it could be anybody. I was thinking a sneaky private eye. Somebody pumping for a lawsuit.

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On 2/7/2021 at 9:00 AM, MJLPN727 said:

Thank you for your responses! I got in touch with the facility and learned it's related to an incident I did some follow-up paperwork for. I still think it's weird, I collected statements, incident report, etc so they need to refer to that. I can't go on the record 6 months later trying to answer questions. And yea I was really concerned with how do I verify who this is etc? Sounds like the investigation may be over, so maybe they didn't need to talk to me that badly. Thanks again

This same thing happened to me except I still worked at the facility. I was weirded out by the phone call. They'll call you even if there is documentation. This is a high risk business, the fractures, pressure sores, the full codes if you  have them. State is a mainstay at these facilities. 

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