I'm an incoming student and have also taken a part time job as an aide/clerk at the hospital where I am to be attending school. So far the folks training me have been great but there have been some inconsistencies that I haven't been able to clarify yet (just because things are hectic).
I have two women training me. One says that when I go to the waiting room and announce for a patient to come back I should use their last name because of HIPPA (ie: Ms. Smith or Mr. Jones). The other woman training me says never use their last name in public, use their first name (ie: calling out for Jill or Jim).
Which is correct? Whenever I go to the Doctor's office they call for me by my first name; personally I prefer that but unfortunately that doesn't mean it's correct as far as HIPPA goes.
During a HIPPA seminar for certification, we were told to always call the pt by the first name, along with the first letter of their last name to avoid confusion...
For example: Jane Doe will turn into-Jane D. and so on...
Agree with you totally. Respect is key when addressing a patient and you will hopefully only be using a patients name in the presence of the patient and/or those that have a need to know about that patient, which is consistent with the privacy act.
I used to work as HIPAA coordinator before studying nursing. Our policy was that the name (first & last) is allowed to appear on sign in sheets and be called out. However, the reason for the visit, diagnosis, and any other specific info must always be kept confidential. Patients shouldnt be required to fill out a sign in sheet with the reason for their visit.
My hospital has no policy on this. My feeling is that if they showed up for treatment with the face and body they usually use then the gig is up. Saying there name doesn't really reveal that much more information.
I don't know if this was a HIPAA violation or not, but it sure ticked me off...
A few years ago, I was at my drugstore phramacy and I noticed that they had begun the practice of giving out a number to call over the PA system if you were waiting to have something filled. That was all well and good, shows that they were taking confidentiality seriously, until...
My number was called, and apparently they would verify the med verbally as they had you sign for it...beause the pharm tech said, in a NOT quiet voice "(Brand X) lady partsL CREAM? SIGN HERE."
Now, this was a very busy store, long lines, full of parents from school, people from my neighborhod, even co-workers. I wanted to sink into the floor right then and there. I didn't say anything, just wanted to get out of there ASAP, but I switched pharmacies after that. I'd rather someone know my name than what I am being treated for. ARGH.
I've read through a lot of the info on a government site about HIPAA. I didn't see any specific guidelines in regard to first name/last name only. I think different facilties create their own policy based on their interpretation of HIPAA and their own needs.
The main thrust of HIPAA is to protect electronically stored or sent information. When med records are physically stored in a file, it's pretty hard for just anyone to get access to them. However, with electronic storage and sending of info, it's MUCH easier for information to be inadvertentedly sent or purposefully accessed by those without formal authorization.
The info I've read on HIPAA shows it to be much more reasonable and flexible than it is often presented as. For example, health personnel needn't whisper to patients in a double room unless the patient specifically requests that. The policy recognizes that to completely prevent accidentlal overhearing of other patients' information would be unreasonable and hinder timely, efficient health care. It asks for reasonable measures - such as those always practiced by health personnel who were concerned with protecting patient privacy - like not discussing patient details on a elevator where visitors might overhear or calling out to the waiting room what the person is in for.
coolatta19
78 Posts
Hi-
During a HIPPA seminar for certification, we were told to always call the pt by the first name, along with the first letter of their last name to avoid confusion...
For example: Jane Doe will turn into-Jane D. and so on...
Where I work, we follow this policy.
I thought this was universal?