HIPAA

[OneRN50]

I recently had a situation dealing with an inmate who stated unwitnessed injury from a fall. I began questioning him regarding the situation while he was in the ward with another inmate patient in the same area.  I then moved him to a more private area to continue the report. The inmate threatened me with HIPAA.  I reported my error to my nurse supervisor and the doctor of said inmate (this Dr is also our Facility Healthcare director) . The Dr said it's a mild) minor HIPAA and not to do it again. My nurse supervisor told me no one is perfect and I had learned from it, which I did. I'm always so careful with privacy. Not sure why I did t just move him to a private area initially.  Anyway my question is since I reported internally do I have to self report further?? 

[JKL33]

Interesting.

This is unavoidable in some settings at some times. Crowded ED, for example--although we should all be doing our best to maintain privacy at all times to the extent reasonably possible, which it sounds like you are saying you didn't do at first.

It's good that you recognized your mistake.

You should follow your facility's procedures for reporting. If you are unsure what to do you should ask your supervisor if there is anything else you need to do.

[OneRN50]

Thank you for your response. Yes I did ask the doctor if I needed to do anything else and he states I do not.  There is also a piece of HIPAA that is called treatment something where it is considered to fall under incidental.  I just want to be sure I've covered all the bases