hippa violation?

[mattie2334]

correct me if i am wrong but isnt it a hippa violation to allow a family member to goo through the residents medical record without supervision?

[CrazierThanYou]

I am thinking so.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

i think the supervision thing may be different state to state....but if the patient didnt grant specific written permission the family doesnt get the chart period

[RaeRae1997]

Most places have a written policy on that matter. Look for yours and follow it. I would think yes this would be a HIPPA issue without written or verbal permission.

[Neats, BSN]

HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability Acountability Act most people think and write what you did. It use to be called the Kennedy/Kassenbaum Bill.

As for your answer it depends on if the patient has signed a release of information to the designated famiily member to have access to their medical information.If they did then they can look but it must be thru medical records, not the nursing station. In some cases I have provided the family "copies" of medical information just so they can continue medical services, the HIPAA form was signed.

HIPAA violations can be serious, all medical information must be kept private.

An example would be you or me as a nurse working on 3rd floor med/surg and we have our neighbor (our father in law) up on floor 5 under ICU care, he has never signed a release form from HIPAA for you to have medical information. You view his record (last labs) as your mother in law is standing near by asking you questions about her husband, she is scared and wants answers. You can be fired just for looking at the information. If this was your husband/wife/partner on the 5th floor same applies you do not have the right to view, you must have the HIPAA release signed.

Hope this helps

[caliotter3]

No signed release from the patient, no access.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

We used to keep charts at the nurses' station to keep some family members out of others' business. Sad but effective.