Hippa email concern - Is it a violation?

[laney_]

Please let me know if this is a violation: I had a patient who I also knew casually. She and my sister participated in a competition which she won. I did not have her email so I asked a friend for it to congratulate her (nothing to do w/ being a patient). My friend then asked her (the patient) why I would have asked for her email. The patient replied, "it is a private matter". So now I have my friend asking what is the private matter and I have stated that it was just to congratulate her (which of course doesn't add up to my friend - who is dogging me about it & guessing all kinds of incorrect things - ). I am worried that the patient thinks I told my friend something or may be irked that I even asked for her email. Should I email/call the patient and explain because I now feel that I did something wrong and I feel that I should contact the patient and state that I was just getting the email to congratulate her (which I did). This all seems so convoluted!! I wish I had never even asked for it. Any thoughts would be helpful - I don't want to get myself in any deeper. :smackingf

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

It is for this reason that I do not ask for or give out my email, cell phone, or accept/ask for Facebook info. My patients are my patients, and when they go home, my interaction with them is complete (unless they end up back in my unit). If I see them in a public setting it is for them to approach me to say hello, I will not initiate a conversation. Too many people would see any of the above as an intrusion.

She already knew her from the outside, though.

I don't think you did anything wrong. But you are worried, so don't do it again.

Don't bring it up to the patient/friend, don't apologize. If you do, you might get her to start thinking to sue you or complain about you or something. Just let it be.

And tell your nosy "friend" to back off if she bothers you about it again. She sounds insecure and jealous. What part of "friend" and "can't tell you" does he or she not get? Give no explanations. Just avoid this "friend" for a while.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

BTW - tell the friend it is none of her business "why"