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Discussion

is this a hippa violation??

Okay, so a few months ago I relocated and left my past job. A friend of mine recently applied for the open position after I left and got it. I was happy for her, told her that it was a great job and told her about some of my ex-coworkers who were really friendly and acted as mentors to me. When I was working there, I had vented to her about a coworker who wasn't the nicest person (remember, she didn't work there at the time!) but I also told my friend that this coworker was a good worker and we just didn't mesh well with our personalities.

It was a group home type facility/rehab for adults with disabilities.

So the other day this friend of mine starts chatting online with me. She starts asking me questions about PATIENTS. Things like...was " there when you were working here?" As soon as she said that I was like "You know, I'd really rather not talk about specific patients, just because" and I was going to type "hippa" when she was like "LOL you are a good non-hippa violator! Anyways" and she goes on talking about another patient at the facility!

This friend has always sort of intimidated me. I didn't know what to do so finally I was just like "I have to go I'll ttyl."

Yes it was a cop-out. But it scares me that she is talking about patients to other people! The area that I was in...it's a pretty small community.

Am I wrong to be concerned? Should I talk to her??

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    • Featured Replies

    If she knows about HIPPA and chooses to ignore it she could get fired or sued. I might "hint" at that at some point.....

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    You are not wrong and it wasn't a cop out either. You stated how you felt about the situation, the other party chose to ignore it, so you removed yourself from the situation without being judgemental or rude. I admire that, because I'm afraid my inner smarty pants would have gotten the best of me in that situation. I don't think you owe this person a lecture on this topic. If it comes up, you can just say,"You know how I feel about this.." If your position is met with indifference again, well, friends respect each.

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    In your position now you have no need to know. SHE is violating HIPAA. Every care provider knows HIPAA.

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    • Experts

    You would be doing her a favor to drop the strong hint. If you were a jerk you could make life difficult for her. She is lucky to have you for a friend. She needs to be made aware that she is treading on thin ice. The next person may not be so nice.

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    • Experts
    You would be doing her a favor to drop the strong hint. If you were a jerk you could make life difficult for her. She is lucky to have you for a friend. She needs to be made aware that she is treading on thin ice. The next person may not be so nice.

    :yeahthat:

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    The "cop-out", is cheaper than the lawsuit and dismissal.

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    tell her you can't talk about the patients you took care of - that IS a HIPPA violation.

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    • Guides

    Dear everyone, it's HIPAA, not "HIPPA". Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

    And yes, it was a HIPAA violation and there's no need for you to be uncomfortable. If she gives you rubbish about being a "non-violator", say "yes, well I like my license, although obviously you don't!".

    :)

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    just like nurses say "PERRL" rather than "PERRLA" - big whoop

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    • Guides

    People like to joke around and test boundaries to find out what the "really, for real" line is, not the letter of the law. Hopefully she got the message when you refused to engage, then backed out. If it happened again, I think I would use more direct language. She may honestly think it's not a big deal, or that you talking about your former co-workers is the same thing as her talking about the patients. You may end up doing her a favor in the long run by being straight forward about it. :)

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    • Guides
    just like nurses say "PERRL" rather than "PERRLA" - big whoop

    Not really. "HIPPA" is incorrect. PERRL is correct, just not totally comprehensive.

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    Dear everyone, it's HIPAA, not "HIPPA". Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

    And yes, it was a HIPAA violation and there's no need for you to be uncomfortable. If she gives you rubbish about being a "non-violator", say "yes, well I like my license, although obviously you don't!".

    :)

    Thank you! I was about to write the correction. Don't know why it bugs me, but it does (prob. my anal retentiveness). I almost fixed a sign I saw in a staff lounge at my clinical site last week, (the nurse manager or charge - I forget who exactly) wrote "HIPPA"

    Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one wanting to correct or remind people :)

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