HIPAA - where you least expect it

[amoLucia]

Ran into a different variation of the old HIPAA thread.

Was trying to set up a new pharmacy account with delivery service for myself. I already have grocery delivery services with the same company (they have the in-house pharmacy). I was willing to coordinate my prescription refills' timing with my grocery ordering just to save the driving time/extra delivery drivers. (I'm house-bound stuck for a while.)

A pharmacist explained that they can't do it that way. They have to have separate drivers as the pharmacy drivers do HIPAA training. Who'd thunk it?!?!? It makes sense and I was impressed.

Just thought I'd comment on the long reach of HIPAA - where you least expect I!

[merlee]

So why can't the pharmacy person bring the groceries? Or maybe even though they are the same company, the products come from different locations?

[NurseDirtyBird]

If it's a chain store/pharmacy (likely it is as they offer delivery), they may have a central pharmacy elsewhere that prepares and delivers scheduled refills. That's how my pharmacy does it. If I call in a refill, it comes from the central pharmacy. If I forget and run out, I go to my pharmacy location and they'll refill it there.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Good for them. I find this a bit surprising though considering that at the grocery stores around here the pharmacies seem like they have never heard of HIPAA.