Hippa Nightmares

sanakruz, ADN · Jul 8, 2003

Yeah, I thought it was rather funny myself.

Unfortunately, The idea of calling pts by numbers may have caught on!

Spaniel gal · Jul 8, 2003

This sounds kinda like our CHI (Commission for Health Improvement) Report. there was a massive panic the board outside listing everybody's name, dr and bed number was removed. Boards above the bed stating name and dr was removed. Notes could be left in our office...?!?

yet docs still do there rounds behind a eves-dropping proof curtains :rolleyes:

I'm still not sure what to make of it. They also wanted us to have our full name on our badges we all refused. First name followed by staff nurse/ Health care asst is enough.

we still did well as a hospital.

it remains me of when we were at primary school. We all new at the age of 6 someone important was going to inspect as new picture displays were made we had big important show off assembly's. Just for their benefit. and lots of things changed. Then when they left , and we went back to the way we did before.

quite amusing in a mad sort of way. it like when the food inspectors for my partners resturant arrange an inspection..... :roll

(we are very clean i must add, so we have nothing to fear )

Ruby

sanakruz, ADN · Jul 8, 2003

Farsical, really.

RNConnieF · Jul 8, 2003

We do silent report, and I LOVE it. As the shift goes on you write down, on a form in the pts. bedside chart, bullet remarks, i.e., Tylenol at 1330 for temp of 101.1- md aware; or, CXR results- LLL infiltrate, no change from last exam. I now get out on time as report is already written down. No HIPAA to worry about as the sheet is in the pts' bedside chart and protected. On d/c these pages are tossed as they are not part of the chart but rather nursing communication, so you can record "Pt family PITA, stay away" or "Pt. very demanding and needy, give MSO4 q 2 hours as ordered". I love the silent report.

Spaniel gal · Jul 9, 2003

Connie is that a cocker spaniel?

looks cute is it your dog?

he is a picture of one of my dogs, Benny

allnurses Guide · Jul 9, 2003

Originally posted by sanakruz
We suggested at our clinic that all clients be offered paperbags to wear on their heads while waiting in the anteroom, and that we will call them all by their 5 digits numbers,something like"#10198, the doctor will see you now." Then guide whoever stands up gently inside (cuz their vision is obscurred). The administration failed to see the levity.

oh my gosh .. . . . :roll

But you are right . . it probably WILL happen. I hate government regulations. sigh . . . . .

steph

TreceRN · Jul 9, 2003

You went back to taped report?? Yuk! We simply shut the patient room doors and restrict visitors during report hours. I totally agree with cheerfuldoer. We have semi-private rooms (what a misnomer; no one ever really has a private room - we're too busy). The pt in the next bed knows everything that's going on with his neighbor, from meds to butt wipes! I'll never forget the time I was in the pt's room gathering admission history data. The pt was hard of hearing, so I had to talk rather loud so she could hear me. Each time I asked her a question, her neighbor in the next bed would answer! I told the lady that I wasn't talking to her, but she kept right on answering all the questions. Then when my pt would answer (in a loud voice 'cause she's hard of hearing, remember) the neighbor would make some kinda comment. Before I knew it, the two of them were having quite a conversation about their respective health historys. HIPPA??? What a joke.:roll

RNPD · Jul 9, 2003

It is HIPAA not HIPPA and stands for HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY ACT of 1996. You can read about it at:

http://www.hipaa-dsmo.org/

Chiaramonte · Jul 9, 2003

"What's in effect for the patients who share rooms in the hospital to keep their information from being heard by one another and the visiting family members of one another?

How "HIPPA" is that? "...cheerfuldoer

I have to agree with the inconsistency here...our ER's stretchers have only a curtain separating them...hence, when gathering chief complaints, enemas,etc...your neighbor hears all!!

live4today, RN · Jul 9, 2003

Yes, and now we aren't allowed to LIMIT the number of visitors to a patient, so sometimes I'm tripping over visitors to get to my patients, and when communicating with my patients, all ten family members of the next bed including the patient in the next bed are hearing every word.

As Chris Rock the entertainer would say:

NOW THAT AINT RIGHT! :chuckle :roll :chuckle