HIPAA help

Nurses HIPAA

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I have a quick question about HIPAA. My sister and I got into a super big fight and I said something about her gastric bypass surgery on Facebook which was supposed to be a secret. Now some of her friends are saying since I am a nurse, i can get in trouble for HIPAA violation. I don't know where or exactly when she had the surgery, don't work at the hospital where she had it done that I know of, didn't ask any information about it or anything so how can it be a HIPAA violation? Because I am a nurse, can I not say anything about anyone's medical condition. I thought it was only if she was a patient in the same hospital I work at and was trying to get info on her while she is there. Any thoughts.

Oops, My bad, I missed the "portability" in my post. What HIPAA really stands for is "bureaucracy and paperwork that no one but JCAHO looks at, and no one cares about, but that makes our job more difficult." But that acronym would be way to long.....

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no hippa violation, but even if it was, hipaa can only be enforced by the federal government. hipaa is a paper tiger that really only scares those that don't understand it. hipaa's real use these days is to scare ppl that don't know any better and as an excuse to fire ppl.

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No! Her friends r stirring the **** pot. We all make mistakes, you already know, people, even sister people don't want things broadcasted. It is/was her story to share. Gastric Byp, sure that as well as her struggle may be a touch subject. Make ammends to her and don't let her peanut gallery friends freak you out.

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no hippa violation, but even if it was, hipaa can only be enforced by the federal government.

HIPAA regulations, specifically, are Federal regs, but most (all?) states have similar state confidentiality rules/regs. When I worked as a hospital surveyor for my state, we enforced the state confidentiality regs, and I saw people get summarily fired for violating them (not at my agency's insistence, but because the employer chose to sack the employee). Someone could conceivably end up in trouble with both the Feds and their state.

However, I'm speaking generally, and not suggesting that the OP's specific situation is a HIPAA (or state) violation.

Also, I would add, generally, that lots of people on this board poo-poo and belittle the importance of HIPAA and other confidentiality regs whenever the topic comes up, but I would bet that those individuals would feel v. differently if it were their confidentiality being violated. (Like so many other things in life, it's no big deal until it happens to you, and then, suddenly, it turns out it is a big deal ...)

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The Health Insurance and Accountablity Act is wayyyyyyyy over-rated. And way over taught in Nursing School. Tell your sister to suck it up and to stop being a wussy. No one is going to prison here.

According to the original post, it's her sister's friends, not the sister, who are crowing about a HIPAA violation.

OP, obviously you are not in trouble for a HIPAA violation, but I sure hope you give your sister a sincere apology. Whether or not you meant to hurt her, sounds like you owe her a big one. Her friends, while misguided, are just trying to be loyal because they feel you were not.

I sometimes wonder if Facebook causes more harm than good.

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Specializes in Health Information Management.
HIPAA regulations, specifically, are Federal regs, but most (all?) states have similar state confidentiality rules/regs. When I worked as a hospital surveyor for my state, we enforced the state confidentiality regs, and I saw people get summarily fired for violating them (not at my agency's insistence, but because the employer chose to sack the employee). Someone could conceivably end up in trouble with both the Feds and their state.

However, I'm speaking generally, and not suggesting that the OP's specific situation is a HIPAA (or state) violation.

Also, I would add, generally, that lots of people on this board poo-poo and belittle the importance of HIPAA and other confidentiality regs whenever the topic comes up, but I would bet that those individuals would feel v. differently if it were their confidentiality being violated. (Like so many other things in life, it's no big deal until it happens to you, and then, suddenly, it turns out it is a big deal ...)

You took the words off the tips of my fingers. ;)

Many states have regulations that are more stringent than the standards set by HIPAA, but HIPAA is the minimum national baseline for standards and privacy regs. While I agree some people have misconstrued HIPAA, the fact remains that privacy is - and should be - a very big deal when it comes to health care, no matter what agency or entity is providing the enforcement.

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I have a similar story: my mother has an abuse problem. A few years ago, I talked to my father about my mother's substance abuse (it is nothing new for him because she's had that problem for years). She found out about me talking to him, said I violated HIPAA, and threatened to have me taken out of nursing school. I wasn't even scared because I know I am not the one overseeing her care, which of course there is none because she denies she has any abuse problem. Anyway, my point is, don't worry about it. She'll get over it.

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Ha, I'm not sure if it's taught at all: "Health Insurance and Accountablity Act."

Yes, as evidenced by this post. ;)

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As far as I can tell HIPAA stand for Health Information Probably Ain't (readily) Available... when needed act.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Nurse: "Man, I have a headache, and could really use another Tylenol."

Idiots: "OMG U VIIIILATED HIPPO!!!!! UR A NURSE AND CANT TALK ABOUT THAT STUFF."

That about sums up the jist of the OPs situation.

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Violating a hippo? Sounds slightly problematic? Hummm, which reminds me, I got to get on my bucket list item number 19... Go on safari.

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Violating a hippo? Sounds slightly problematic? Hummm, which reminds me, I got to get on my bucket list item number 19... Go on safari.

Violating a hippo? I don't know about where you're from, but in my state we frown on that kind of stuff.

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