Hippa

[onlymerox]

Ok I have been drilled to never give information about a patient. Even in the military. is it a HIPPA violation to give a patient's information to a law officer/sherriff if the warrant is for a family member? the patient is also a minor. It seems each facility is different. I know in the past we usually call the legal department. but now i work in a facility that doesn't have one.

Am a crazy to think the patient and their family should expect some kind of privacy?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

PS I looked on the HIPPA website..it was very vague about the warrants and to me alway means if the patient is the one the law is looking for.

[EmmaG, RN]

Your hospital should have a compliance officer and a risk management department. They could answer your questions. If you're concerned about reprisals or remaining anonymous, contact the toll-free compliance line. I'm sure your facility has lawyers on retainer for advice, even if they don't have a legal department per se.

Good luck.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

We are instructed to ALWAYS refer that person to the risk management office or to the Administrator on Duty. Off the fly, I would think that in your case, since there is no such office in your facility, I'd refer them to the nursing supervisor.

[suzanne4, RN]

Warrants are only for the person that is listed on the warrant, nothing to do with other family members first of all.

And as suggested above, if no risk management dept, then contact the Nursing Supervisor or the Adminstrator on call. They need to be the ones representing the facility.

HIPAA is specific to the person that is the patient, no information can be shared with anyone else without permission to do so, and in writing. Clearance from an a supervisor should be obtained before giving out anything to anyone.