Patient freaking out

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in PICU, CCU, Psych.

This is really a HIPAA question, but I knew if I put that in the title no one would read it, haha! I work on a small psychiatric unit and when I pass out medications in the evening I go up to each patient and quietly say, (for example) "This is the Celexa 20mg that Dr. Smith ordered." I do this for safety reasons.

Tonight, one of my patients freaked out on me and started screaming that I was breaking confidentiality laws and that she was going to sue me, etc. etc. etc. I offered to take her to a private area to discuss her medications, but she was already on the rampage and refused. Anyway, I'm wondering... is she right? Are the names of medications protected under HIPAA?

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Specializes in Mental Health, Surgical-Ortho.

LOL! I work on an inpatient psych unit as well, and all the nurses explaine what they are giving the clients, and what it is for. It is done quietly, and not meant for anyone else except the nurse and client to hear. With psych patients it is pretty important to educate the patients, especially inpatient clients!! Unless you are telling other patients what the cleint is on, I am pretty sure you are fine. Besides, psych patients are notorious for over reacting to small situations. When I am working on the unit I am threatened all the time, although usually with violence or a curse of some sort. I would make sure to write up an incident report, and make sure you tell your charge nurse to CYA! So long as you didn't announce to the entire census "Hey this is haldol for mr. smith!"

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Since it is a psych unit each of your patients should have signed documentation stating that they each hold the confidentiality of other patients. You know- what is seen here, said here you don't take out of here.

From now on just say here is the med Dr. Who orderd. If they ask what is then you can name the med. because they are giving permission for this.

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Are the names of medications protected under HIPAA?

Yes.

On the other hand, you're not breaking confidentiality if you are taking steps to say it in a voice low enough that you cannot be overheard.

Plus, if she does actually try to get you into trouble, you can always just deny it and point out that she's crazy.

(;) kidding kidding)

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Specializes in Cardiac, Adolescent/Child Mental Health.

"Plus, if she does actually try to get you into trouble, you can always just deny it and point out that she's crazy."

A pox on you, sir!! How dare you!!!! I am appalled at your lack of professionalism and sensitivity! For shame!!!:eek:

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"Plus, if she does actually try to get you into trouble, you can always just deny it and point out that she's crazy."

A pox on you, sir!! How dare you!!!! I am appalled at your lack of professionalism and sensitivity! For shame!!!:eek:

oh chill, will you please?

how many times does he have to say, "kidding, kidding"???

sheesh.

leslie

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Specializes in PICU, CCU, Psych.

TiredMD- Hahaha this is very true. Afterall, this is a woman who washes out her Doritos bags with soap and water before she throws them away! And in case anyone complains about my lack of sensitivity- shame on both of us!

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.
Yes.

On the other hand, you're not breaking confidentiality if you are taking steps to say it in a voice low enough that you cannot be overheard.

Plus, if she does actually try to get you into trouble, you can always just deny it and point out that she's crazy.

(;) kidding kidding)

:p:chuckle:p:chuckle Thanks for the levity....:chuckle

BTW, I think Lu13 was joking also....I hope, lol.

I don't think you are doing a darn thing wrong. You just can't please everyone, always. Some times I can't even please one, sometimes, lol. I would, however, give a heads-up to your NM, or DON or whoever, to let them know of a possible complaint coming their way.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Adolescent/Child Mental Health.

Uh, yeah. I was kidding...

Does anybody really speak that way? Give me a break!

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Specializes in Mental Health, Surgical-Ortho.

Remember everyone the key to retaining your own mental health while working in mental health is to have a good sense of humor! I has kept me sane . . . uuuhhh . . . well . . . sane-ish . . . over the past few years. I love crazy people... I get along better with seriously mentally ill adults than my peers, LOL

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Specializes in district nurse, ccu, geriatric.
"Plus, if she does actually try to get you into trouble, you can always just deny it and point out that she's crazy."

A pox on you, sir!! How dare you!!!! I am appalled at your lack of professionalism and sensitivity! For shame!!!:eek:

If it makes you fell better, I did detect you were just kidding!!!!!!!!!!:chuckle.

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Specializes in Tele, Acute.

Come on yall, lets all try to be nice, after all, if we can't have a little joking or kidding around,we might end up being that lady's roommate.:eek:

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