Hippa At Camp

[kampnurse817]

Just wondering about people's experience with the privacy act at camps. I worked at a camp last year in which the Director knew everything that went on in the infirmary, and in most cases she needed to know. My questioon is, how does the hippa laws come into play at camp? Without getting into anyone's details, there were people seen by me, and referred to local doctors - how much detail am I required to give the director without violating privacy laws? The director has full disclosure of the health record logs anyway, I almost just didn't put some visits in the logs for this reason alone.

Any experience with that kind of stuff?

[carachel2]

Excellent question...can't wait to see the posts on this. I would think it would be an open book as far as the campers themselves, but for staff and counselors it should be different. If the illness interferes somehow with their job duties or function then would it be a policy to report it to the director ?

[kampnurse817]

This particular instance - the (patient) was a staff member from another country. Also, had to take unscheduled time off to see a physician downtown, and had to find transportation to get them there.

Another thing, with the staff being so young and things happening as they do, if you know what I mean, what if a communicable disease comes up? Then, what do you do? It is a privacy issue, I know.

I would appreciate any help sent my way. Thanks

[BonnieSc]

I don't see why the director would have to know the details of staff illnesses. It should be enough if the nurse says "Yes, s/he needs to see the doctor." As for STIs--absolutely not, the director should not know. Every year at least one of our staff thinks she's pregnant, and I've never seen any reason to tell the director.

I don't think whether the staff member is an international should make any difference, but maybe there's some aspect to the story I'm not thinking of?

One thing I can think of that I do tell the director is if I have reason to think that the staff member is not really sick, but rather trying to get out of work or homesick (happens fairly often). (Not that it's not OK and real to be homesick--but it in that case, the director can do a lot of good talking to them. And the director never comes in and says "The nurse thinks you're just homesick"--she will simply come in and start a conversation and lead it in the direction.)

[kampnurse817]

I love my camp and my directors, let me start by saying that. They are great at what they do, and very knowledgeable. I just worried because it seems that stuff may get repeated by mistake - and the staff's privacy is now compromised. The staff in question is not returning this year, but was still a concern for me anyways. I think this site is wonderful. And, thanks to all who take the time to answer.

I am going to see if the libraries around here have that Basics of Camp Nursing book. Sounds as if it is a good camp "bible".

[camp nurse 2004]

does HIPPA apply to camps too? Is every state the same? Is there a web site on this?

[nightingale, RN]

HIPPA is a Federal compliance issue, so it is the same nationwide.