HIPAA Scenario???

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What would you do in this situation:

You are taking care of a patient and a lady claiming to be his daughter calls on the phone to see how the patient is and what is going on with him. What do you say? BTW the patient in this scenario is asleep.

Do you answer her questions, what do you do? Would it go against HIPAA if you do??

Help!! Any help would be great!!

Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.

Daytonite -- Don't think I can agree with the procedure you've outlined based on my impression of HIPAA.

Hope it works for you.

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That's dead on. And my implied point.

Does anyone know of any official pronouncement specifically indicating an approved method for handling inquiries?

You need to follow the plan that your facility has put into place. Simple as that. An approved method is the 4 digit code.

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It's hard to believe anyone would even question your actions, Tweety. You're right on! Especially with HIPPA!

I couldn't believe it either! I felt like I was in the twilight zone when the other nurses were like "you should have just told her what she wanted to know". I explained to them that HIPAA is a law. I can lose my job, or even be personally sued...that I didn't know about them, but I am not about to ever lose my livelihood over some nosy family member!

Today I checked our policies and procedures and in plain english it states that we are not to give ANY pt info over the telephone or we risk being terminated! So now I hope that that woman complains about me, so I can present this problem to our management! Maybe we need to enact that password thing...or direct all calls to one family spokesperson. Not give their phone number out, but tell the callers to call Mary (or whoever) for any info. Honestly, I don't have time to be talking to anyone over the phone while at work. I don't have enough time for my allotted breaks! :devil:

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Specializes in ICU, CM, Geriatrics, Management.
You need to follow the plan that your facility has put into place. Simple as that. An approved method is the 4 digit code.

I agree... again.

But that doesn't answer the question posed.

Do you know of an official ruling for the 4-digit code procedure?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in OB - RN, nursing instructor.

Even if the persons name is on the patient's list. How can you be sure you are speaking to THAT person? It makes me wonder how hospitals with movie stars do it? I always go into the room, ask the patient, then go back and transfer the call. Documentation should be done as well.

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Specializes in CCU stepdown, PACU, labor and delivery.

We just tell them under the current laws we are no longer able to give out medical information over the phone. I also explain to them we have no way of verifying that the person is who they say they are over the phone if they insist on the subject.

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See....I agree with you all, but I also side with Daytonite. In Ltc it is easier to do this since you tend to see the same family and visitors.

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