CNA HIPAA VIOLATION

Published

I'm very lost at this moment. I had a former employee of the nursing home I work at ask me a resident's child's name. Without thinking, I gave her the name. When I later realized what I'd done, I panicked. I reported it but deleted the part where I gave her name and they're going to carry through with legal actions. At this point they don't know I've given any information out. What can I do? I wasn't even thinking about it. I'm so lost. I'm a single parent and don't want to lose my son because I've gone to jail over something like this. I'm panicking, I'm stressed. I don't know what to do. I love the facility I work at, I love my elders. I wasn't even thinking when she asked me the name.

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What do you mean they're going through with legal actions if they don't know you gave out info? Who is doing that? And what did you report? Wish I could help but I don't quite get it. Sorry you're going through this though. :no:

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A disgruntled employee was searching for information. The employee reached out through a friend of mine and had them ask what a family members name was. The facility is going through with an investigation against this employee because she has stirred up a big mess. I reported the fact that she was looking for information but I didn't tell then I gave information out. I had no ill intentions and I wish I'd had been thinking before just giving out a name.

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So you pushed the employee under the bus and covered your own behind, you are such a good friend. If you divulged the information why turn around and make a report?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I doubt that you'll go to jail, but I think you have reason to be concerned about your job. I'm not sure how you justified reporting the one who requested the info, but not the one who actually gave out the info (yourself). The request is less damning than the actual release of PHI, in my opinion. "Reporting" only half the story will likely not weigh in your favor either.

What remains to be seen is if a relative's name is considered to be PHI.

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You are not going to go to jail, nor are you going to lose your son over this. Calm down.

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Specializes in Home Health, Mental/Behavioral Health.

That's not cool :no:

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Oh, for crying out loud. A child's name is not protected health information. Did you behave unprofessionally? Yes. Did you violate HIPAA? No. I wish people would understand this term before throwing it around.

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