Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.
allnurses

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.
Discussion

Hipaa question

I have a question about hipaa.

I was on my way to clinical and saw my boyfriends aunt and uncle in the lobby of the hospital. We started talking and they told me to say hi to my boyfriend for them. I am not sure if I am allowed to say anything to him. He would know I saw them at the hospital without me saying so and I normally would not even think twice about it, knowing that it would be a violation to tell him, but she asked me and I didn't see them as a patient but on their way to visit a friend.

If anyone had some insight on this I'd appreciate it. I know that they will say something to him the next time they see him but was wondering if it violated any laws, being that it wasn't as a patient and they asked me to.

Thank you

  • Quote

    • Featured Replies

    Hipaa protects individuals’ medical records and other personal health information -these folks were in the hospital visiting a friend-disclosing that info is not a violation.If one of them was a patient and you disclosed that fact without their permission it would be a violation.

  • Quote

    If THEY asked you to say hi to your boyfriend/their nephew, then it is OK, as it was their choice to bring it up.

  • Quote

    I ran into this with a patient who wanted me to tell my mom he and his family said hi. I chose not to deliver the message because many of my moms circle of friends knew this patient and his family. I realize that me telling her he was a patient at my hospital could potentially spread news about his hospitalization. I think when it isn't clear cut, even if the patient or family member gives you permission, the best thing is to simply use good judgement.

  • Quote
    • Author

    Thanks so much! Truly appreciate it :)

  • Quote

    They are not patients. There is nothing to violate. If someone asks what they were doing in the hospital, you simply saw them in the lobby and they asked you to say 'Hi'.

    We are all getting a bit paranoid about this stuff. It's his family, after all, and you have no 'protected information' to reveal. Simply being at a hospital is not enough.

    Tell your boyfriend 'hi' from them.

  • Quote
    • Experts
    I have a question about hipaa.

    I was on my way to clinical and saw my boyfriends aunt and uncle in the lobby of the hospital. We started talking and they told me to say hi to my boyfriend for them. I am not sure if I am allowed to say anything to him. He would know I saw them at the hospital without me saying so and I normally would not even think twice about it, knowing that it would be a violation to tell him, but she asked me and I didn't see them as a patient but on their way to visit a friend.

    If anyone had some insight on this I'd appreciate it. I know that they will say something to him the next time they see him but was wondering if it violated any laws, being that it wasn't as a patient and they asked me to.

    Thank you

    HIPAA is the protection of medical information and records that the government considers "Protected Healthcare Information" not who is in street clothes walking around the hospital visiting someone. They asked you to say hi to their nephew....you can say hi.

    Now the example of what would be a HIPAA violation. "When I was caring for Mrs. White for my clinical yesterday, and she was in the hospital for her gall bladder I noticed your Aunt and Uncle visiting.....they said to say HI!"

    http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/privacysummary.pdf

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_Insurance_Portability_and_Accountability_Act

    http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/m2e411a1.htm

    These links may help...:)

  • Quote
    • Author

    Thank you :)

  • Quote

    • Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Add a Comment
    Go to topic listing

    Currently Reading 0

    • No registered users viewing this page.

    Account

    Navigation

    Search

    Search

    Configure browser push notifications
    Chrome (Android)
    1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
    2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
    3. Adjust your preference.
    Chrome (Desktop)
    1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
    2. Select Site settings.
    3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.