Have we all violated HIPAA ? Self reporting

[Anxiousandafraid]

Has anyone ever self reported themselves for violating HIPAA ? Whether it be sharing a story with family , viewing a record anything ? I feel so terrible. So the backstory is I’m a CNA. My nurse basically was upset with me for writing true accurate low RR. That has triggered me to be fearful and insecure at work. I was told that I can possibly hold off and go back to check the RR again if abnormal or enlist the help of a nurse to verify before submitting. Anyway I had a patient with a low RR while sleeping. Eventually it rose a little. I have severe anxiety. I panicked thinking Omgggg what if I’m the only person that knows truthfully this patient has the low RR because almost everyone submits the lucky number “18”. Anyway came back to work and the patient was discharged. My heart sank and my anxiety was doing flips. “What if they died. What if it’s my fault. What if this what if that. “ Then I thought “well they’re discharged but their chart is still attached to your user id… just check to see if maybe sleep apnea is in their file so you can move on and not obsess over this patient “..(I also deal with an inflated sense of responsibility “. So I scanned the now discharged patients file and I knew better. I feel so guilty. I haven’t heard anything from my employer but I feel ethically wrong. Would you tell ? Should I tell ? I just didn’t want to obsess only to find out “okay this patient had sleep apnea … they knew / know about it. Move on with your life “ 

[JKL33]

No, you should forget about this.

I would encourage you to see your PCP and/or mental health professional to have your anxiety evaluated and your treatment plan optimized. This is no way to live. Do this as soon as possible. In the hopefully short meantime, stick to your role and your scope of practice and communicate appropriately with your nurse.

Take care ~

[Davey Do]

If the patient is under our care, we check to find a status, and inform no one who is not involved in the patient's care, that is not a HIPPAA violation.

[HiddenAngels]

Ummm I don’t know about this. I think you have 24 hrs to update documentation but after that IDK.  Were you just looking to be looking, if so then yea that’s a problem. I agree with JKL you should try to see if maybe you have anxiety.  Once you document accurately, if it’s a problem inform the nurse, document that you told the nurse and that’s it.  No need to take on anymore angst. 

[Kay Nice, BSN]

Hi. I found your posts while I was searching things about HIPAA violations. I have severe anxiety and I relate to your feelings so much. I go down these rabbit holes of worrying about things just like this. I don’t have advice for you but I wanted to tell you that I completely understand your panic and fear. I feel this way often too. I am trying a new anxiety medication and I hope it helps me. I hope you’re doing OK too.