HIPPA VIOLATION???

[Misstlewis]

Is it a violation of hippa for a medical student to announce that my pap smear was abnormal to the receptionist?

Scenario: I had an appointment to c my obgyn who was running extremely late (i understand cuz if a pt go into labor or something then they have priority). Because everytime i come im always waitin 2 hours cuz she isnt there so i was talkin to my primary dr receptionist about getting a referral so i can make an appointment with somebody else. My obgyn's medical assistant jumps n the conversation and announces that i have to c the dr because my pap smear is abnormal. This lady is always rude when i come in and i believe she said that deliberately. I was wondering if this would b a violation and if so should i contact an attorney?

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

Sure it is!!! :uhoh3:

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Get over yourself. It's a medical office. The receptionist needs to know what kind of appointment you need. An attorney? Puhleeze...where is the harm

[Jolie, BSN]

The receptionist overhears you ask for an appointment with someone else and she interjects that you need to see the doctor because your Pap is abnormal.

And you want to sue for a HIPAA violation?

Go ahead.

[Misstlewis]

Maybe i should clarify something... Its a small office and the receptionist desk is maybe 2 or 3 steps from the waiting are where there were alot of pts waiting to b seen... Every pt that was in the office now knows exactly why i was there... Its not about me being full of myself (as u arrogantly put) its about my right to privacy being violated. would it have been different had she said "well the reason u have to wait on the dr is because u have aids" and the whole waiting area hears this?

[Misstlewis]

Im sorry after reading what i posted originally i did make a mistake it wasnt a medical student but a certified medical assistant (sorry for the mistype).

[merlee]

Well, it may be a H I P A A violation, but was there harm done? I would certainly want to speak with the office manager about the situation.

The person was rude and inappropriate, and should have pulled you to a private area to tell you that you needed to see the doc.

Even though you may have been embarrassed by the situation it is probably not worth it to get an attorney.

But it's your choice!

[Prettyladie]

Did she mention your name...because frankly, why you think it's "hippa" it probably isnt. Say for instance you are in the ER, and you overhear a result about the patient next to you. Are they going to sue because you heard that their CT showed no abnormalities...no. I think this is more "personal" than anything, and maybe you need to settle this issue. I think it's pertinent issue for the receptionist to know, so they can make the appropriate referral. They can't just refer you to whomever, if you have a specific issue. Besides, most receptionists know why you come in for an appointment anyways.

[MunoRN, RN]

The receptionist does need to know the indication for you appointment. Medical office waiting rooms do need to provide a "buffer" between the seating area and the desk to reduce the amount of information that gets heard by those in the waiting room, but it's not an absolute guarantee. Patients in the hospital often have lengthy descriptions of their medical history heard by strangers in double or multiple patient rooms. If the assistant intentionally spoke louder than necessary then you could make an argument, but I don't think you could prove volume.

Just FYI, it looks as though many of your keyboard keys are broken, you might want to get that fixed.

[Misstlewis]

Thanks to everyone that replied... I understand were some ppl are coming from. No my name wasnt mentioned. No my keyboard is broken but thanks for ur concern anyway but i do apologize if my typing isnt perfect. I think im more upset about the fact that everytime i go c my obgyn this specific medical assistant always has an attitude and is very rude. It also bothers my that i wasnt even speaking to my obgyn's receptionsit but i was in fact speaking with my primary dr's receptionist and im actually wondering why my results have to be announced jus because i prefer to transfer to another obgyn. All of my records would transfer anyway. My main question to my dr's receptionist was will my insurance cover my to b seen with somebody else.

[Misstlewis]

And I also did mention to the obgyn receptionist what the nature of my appt was when I first came in. Its an uncomfortable office with my having to endure a lot of attitude.

[Jolie, BSN]

If you have an issue with the rudeness of an office employee, by all means, bring it up to her and/or the practice manager.

But to bring up a supposed federal violation in the process is unnecessary overkill. Overstating your case in this manner won't help your cause.