Hipaa accusation

[lvgrud]

I am being "investigated" for a potential Hipaa violation. I am aware of the seriousness of this and worried sick. I am being told that another employees chart was accessed from a computer that I was logged in on. I absolutely did not do it but it really is just my word about that since they have key strokes on their side. Any advice if I should contact a lawyer to represent me further? My mgr made it seem like it was not a big deal becaise nothing was actually viewed and I appeared at a meeting to be questioned by a lawyer unknowingly. Now they tell me they are looking into what was actually viewed (my mgr lied aboit that) and how aggregious the access was before they decide what to do. If I had any idea what was accessed then I would know what is coming down the road but since I didn't do it I really have no idea. I admit that I have walked away from computers that I have been logged into, bed alarm, phone call, call bell, etc and you just get up and go without thinking about it. (never again, I will log out first always!)

[Sour Lemon]

Well, that sucks. I guess it never hurts to consult a lawyer, but it really doesn't matter if you did it or not. If you didn't do it, you still provided access for someone else to do it.

I think I'd probably just wait and see what the outcome was because I'd feel like I had no real defense.

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

Well, you could consult and attorney for free usually. The first meeting to discuss, lawyers don't normally charge for. Also, do you have a Union Rep that you might be able to speak with? Granted, they aren't lawyers, but many of them have knowledge regarding workplace practices that we might not possess. The good thing here is that you will remember to never leave your screen open. Hope it turns out well for you.