Do nurses have a right to privacy?

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Hello

I'd like to tell you about what happened to another nurse and myself this week. It has left me with so many feelings that i just cannot pin-point how i feel.

We work in a nursing home that deals with many psych and behavioral issues. Many younger residents mixed in the population. Many checkered pasts!

Several months ago myself and another nurse were accused of assault by a resident who was intoxicated. I won't go into what happened- it was all resolved and unfounded.

This resident had requested a copy of the police report from the PD and DON.

Would you believe that the PD and DON gave him a copy! Ok no problem that's his right.

But the copy contained : our names, our addresses, our phone number, and if thats not enough.. our DOB and our Social Security Number!:banghead:

This was brought to our attention when the resident stated he basically felt he had too much info about us.

I would like other nurses feedback/comments please.

Thank You

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

O-M-G

That's all I can say.

Hello

I'd like to tell you about what happened to another nurse and myself this week. It has left me with so many feelings that i just cannot pin-point how i feel.

We work in a nursing home that deals with many psych and behavioral issues. Many younger residents mixed in the population. Many checkered pasts!

Several months ago myself and another nurse were accused of assault by a resident who was intoxicated. I won't go into what happened- it was all resolved and unfounded.

This resident had requested a copy of the police report from the PD and DON.

Would you believe that the PD and DON gave him a copy! Ok no problem that's his right.

But the copy contained : our names, our addresses, our phone number, and if thats not enough.. our DOB and our Social Security Number!:banghead:

This was brought to our attention when the resident stated he basically felt he had too much info about us.

I would like other nurses feedback/comments please.

Thank You

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How awful!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in MICU, neuro, orthotrauma.

Can you have a conversation with a lawyer about your rights?

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Specializes in MICU, neuro, orthotrauma.

I just can't get over this. The DON should be fired, at the very least. And the sooner, the better.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I recommend talking with an attorney before making any fuss about your rights being violated. Find out what your rights are from someone in the legal profession. Then decide what to do based on the legal counsel you get.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Wow, you're wide open to identity theft now. This makes me very nervous!

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

ooh man i would be so mad at that DON.. that man has your name and address...... how dare she do that... oooh i get mad just thinking about it... the nerve she has... this man probably knows all about you.. he could move in next door to you.... Lawyer up !!

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He could have gone to the police station and got the same report, couldn't he have? I don't think this has much of anything to do with you being a nurse.

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

Your address, phone number, DOB, and SSN should have been blacked out, IMO.

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

Call Equifax and the other big 2 and have them put a "fraud watch" on your accounts.

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Actually, you only need to call one of the bureaus and the other's will be notified and put the fraud alert on your credit reports.

Also, I have gotten police reports in the past and they are ALWAYS redacted to eliminate that kind of personal information! Someone messed up big time!

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