HIPAA Violation

[Cat59]

I am a new nursing student first year and am older then the rest of my classmates. I violated HIPAA with out realizing it by I guess using Names and Ages for a school assignment I have now been expelled from the nursing program. Will this follow me if I apply at another school? I am so broken hearted. I have been working so hard for this and now I am completely lost.

[londonflo]

You are not the first one to do this, nor the last. Can you appeal the decision with the Dean or Academic Vice President? 

This will not follow you I would expect. You can just say the nursing program "was not a good fit for you". 

The words in the following quote makes me wonder if you truly understand why you were dismissed. 

On 4/13/2022 at 8:07 PM, Cat59 said:

I violated HIPAA with out realizing it by I guess using names and Ages for a school assignment 

[Cat59]

Thank for you kind words this happen on Monday I was given only twelve hours to appeal and the and they stated I breached their academic policies and they voted to up hold their decision.

[londonflo]

What does the student handbook or college handbook say?

[Cat59]

It says it’s a violation of the schools policy and that it’s up to the nursing directors discretion. I never realized what I had done anything wrong until they called a meeting and told me I had violated HIPAA  and that they contacted the hospital were I had my fourth clinical and they verified the names as patients. This has cause me such heart ache I feel so ashamed. I should have known better 

[Cat59]

I see you on in oncology that’s the field I was hoping to be a part of. I am a stage 4 cancer survivor. That’s part of the reason it’s taken my long to attend college 

[londonflo]

On 4/13/2022 at 8:45 PM, Cat59 said:

they contacted the hospital were I had my fourth clinical and they verified the names as patient

Well, looks like they were violating HIPAA too. This is only a small blip in your nursing education. If I may ask, what state is it in?  I wish you better luck with future education and I wish you continued health

[Cat59]

Thanks Londonflo I ask for proof but they are refusing to give me anything so I cannot file an appeal. I live in Iowa

[Cat59]

And thank you. It’s been a hard week, I feel so lost not beanie yo attend my classes 

God I can’t type today haha 

[Gratefulbutnotstupid, ASN, LPN, RN]

Still in school.  This would have been an opportunity for the school to sit you down and go over HIPAA and what you did wrong.  Teaching moment.  They obviously missed the mark on this if you did not understand.   It seems that most places think everyone knows the acronym HIPAA, what it means and the implications.  I can see students thinking the school is HIPAA compliant and information could be used and maybe even expected.  You should have been required to rewrite the paper without the names and other identifying information and given a warning.  Obviously the school was not affected if they had to check with the hospital for names and other identifying info.  A no no for them asking post student activity.  The information is given prior to the student activity and should not have to be repeated.  Patients give permission for student care, but not to have this much repeating of their info.

Apply to another school.

[Cat59]

I appreciate the input they expelled me I’m Afraid this we’ll follow me .  

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

I am so, so sorry.  This is ridiculous.  Patient privacy is important but to make a decision like this shows incredibly poor judgement on the part of the faculty there.

Just say "I had some academic trouble and had to leave that program. Later, I applied at X university and it was a much better fit."  This won't follow you.