HIPPA & Family Members

CathyLew · Dec 31, 2008

Just make sure if you plan on bringing anyone up on charges of HIPPA violation that you have the facts right. If nosy unkle spends a lot of time hanging out, he may get wind of your surgery by talking with a friend of a friends who was in the waiting room when you got called for pre-op lab work or something.

while you are in recovery or after, let the nurses know that you don't want visitors, or only certain visitors.

If he shows up at the house once you get out, tell him your not up for visitors, thanks for stopping in, and if he would be a doll and take out the trash/mow the lawn/shovel the driveway while he is there. Bet he won't come back snooping!

Batman24 · Dec 31, 2008

I'd sit down with all 3 of them prior to the surgery and let them know you don't want any of them to visit you in the hospital. Let them know you appreciate their concern but expect them to respect this request for your privacy and well being. Tell them that if they show up they will be denied access to your room and you will call security if need be. That's how I'd handle it. Be very firm. And if they do show up make sure they are shown the door.

caliotter3 · Jan 1, 2009

When I was hospitalized for surgery I requested no visitors or contact with the exception of one family member due to serious problems with stalking. I suffered extreme psychological distress when someone entered my room with no authorized purpose in the middle of the night when I was still groggy, weak, and trying to deal with pain. My complaints went on deaf ears. I suggest if you want not to be bothered in your room that you try to set something up where one trusted person can stay in your room. I had no one to look after me. As soon as I could cajole my release, I all but ran out of there, only to encounter a suspicious character staring me over while I lurched into my getaway cab. Sometimes you need an advocate if you can get one.

KatyAtlanta · Jan 1, 2009

Wow, Caliotter3...you certainly put my problem into perspective. I'm sorry to hear of what you dealt with. That would have been quite difficult. I'm probably being too controlling; I not only want the uncle to stay away, I want him not to even know!

I hope the situation you described is well in the past for you, and that you'll never have to deal with anything like that again.

lsyorke, RN · Jan 1, 2009

while you are in recovery or after, let the nurses know that you don't want visitors, or only certain visitors.

While this sounds like a reasonable request, it never works. Rarely does a floor nurse have the time to monitor someones visitors(nor should she), so this results in a sign on the door, which visitors ignore.

Tell your family you don't want visitors prior to the hospitalization and be firm about it.

lamazeteacher · Jan 1, 2009

When I was hospitalized for surgery I requested no visitors or contact with the exception of one family member due to serious problems with stalking. I suffered extreme psychological distress when someone entered my room with no authorized purpose in the middle of the night when I was still groggy, weak, and trying to deal with pain. My complaints went on deaf ears. I suggest if you want not to be bothered in your room that you try to set something up where one trusted person can stay in your room. I had no one to look after me. As soon as I could cajole my release, I all but ran out of there, only to encounter a suspicious character staring me over while I lurched into my getaway cab. Sometimes you need an advocate if you can get one.

One advocate you, or others in your situation need most, is a lawyer who can write a letter to the persons who are stalking/pestering you. The letter should include a copy of a filed "restraining order" against them, and notice that your room will have police presence at all times (you can hire off duty police officers for that, or burly bouncers from bars who know their place and won't escalate the situation). They remain outside your room, guarding the door and occasionally check inside the room. Hospitals, like hotels simply can't police outsiders effectively, so you need to provide your own, like the rock stars do.

Requests are just that. Demands are more forceful. There's a TV commercial I love placed by attorneys who defend patients, in which they say, "Tell them you mean business", sternly. :nono:

lamazeteacher · Jan 1, 2009

HIPPA is a piece of paper with no purpose for the patient. I wish it would be tested in court, as the only use it has, is that permission is given insurance companies (and anyone else) to get your hospital records - all of them. How people are tricked into thinking that they can prevent casual reference to their situation, is ridiculous!

How can one person sign a paper, requiring someone else to keep their mouths shut? It's demeaning to hospital staff, who already promised confidentiality when they assumed their responsibilities as a professional. The cost in unneeded use of paper (trees) alone should have stopped the bill dead in its tracks from the getgo, but lobbyists for insurance companies got politicians' ears, who didn't know better.

I'd give HIPPA a reward for the worst example of misguided legislation of the millenium! :down: