HIPPA Violations

[tirednurse]

At my current place of employment there are quite a few things occurring that I see as HIPPA violations. For instance, giving lab results to a patient in the middle of the hallway where anyone can hear. I work in the college setting and many students have roomates or live with their parents. I also think that leaving a message on an answering machine or with a roomate about a patients lab results are again HIPPA violations. I have spoken to my supervisor and her "hands are tied". Her direct superior won't allow her to address the particular individual who is violating confidentiality because "she has been here for many years and we just can't change everything for her, this is the way we've always done it." What can I do? Are these HIPPA violations? Can I file an annonymous complaint? How?

Thank you,

tirednurse

[pricklypear]

Holy Cow!! The only way the answering machine message would not be in violation of HIPAA is if there is a signed consent to leave a message. That's always been a No-No, even before HIPAA.

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

I'm certain you have a policy on confidentiality and HIPAA, especially given the nature of the population we deal with (I work in a college setting as well - 18 year olds who are still living under their parents' largess nonetheless are independent entities entitled to strict protection of their PHI unless they have authorized release of same.)

If your immediate supervisor is not listening, it needs to go to the next level. Your co-worker needs to understand that she is risking major fines for the institution, not to mention herself. This is not acceptable. You probably have a designated HIPAA compliance officer in your facility. Find out who it is an advise them as discreetly as possible.

We have had multiple trainings on the impact of HIPAA. Confidentiality is nothing new, and I feel this would have violated it even before HIPAA.

[elkpark]

You probably have a designated HIPAA compliance officer in your facility.

You definitely do -- that's one of the requirements of the HIPAA regs, and that's the person you need to report this to (discreetly, as Nurse Ratched noted). Then it will be that person's responsibility to take whatever action is appropriate.

[nurse_wannabe]

tirednurse, I really don't know for sure if that is a violation or not. I'm still in school, but it certainly does sound like one.

I was pondering the subject of HIPPA just last week at my OBGYN's office. Upon arrival for your appointment, you have to add your name to the bottom of this long list of names of people who got there before you. I can look at the list and read every single person's name who has been there that day. All it would take is someone you know going in there, seeing your name, and then spreading it all around town that you are pregnant or have an STD, when maybe you were just there for a yeast infection! Does anyone else do this in their office? Any opinions on this practice? It's really quite surprising to me that they do this, because when they call my house to give lab results or anything they even block their name so it won't show up on my caller ID.

[Ali_Oop07]

I was pondering the subject of HIPPA just last week at my OBGYN's office. Upon arrival for your appointment, you have to add your name to the bottom of this long list of names of people who got there before you.

It is my understanding that this practice does not violate HIPAA as long as the patients are not listing symptoms or the reason for the visit with there name.

[Ali_Oop07]

A great website to thumb through about HIPAA

http://answers.hhs.gov/cgi-bin/hhs.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_sid=xPmDQ6Gg&p_lva=&p_li=&p_page=1&p_cat_lvl1=7&p_cat_lvl2=%7Eany%7E&p_search_text=&p_new_search=1

~Ali

[Luv2BAnurse]

tirednurse, I really don't know for sure if that is a violation or not. I'm still in school, but it certainly does sound like one.

I was pondering the subject of HIPPA just last week at my OBGYN's office. Upon arrival for your appointment, you have to add your name to the bottom of this long list of names of people who got there before you. I can look at the list and read every single person's name who has been there that day. All it would take is someone you know going in there, seeing your name, and then spreading it all around town that you are pregnant or have an STD, when maybe you were just there for a yeast infection! Does anyone else do this in their office? Any opinions on this practice? It's really quite surprising to me that they do this, because when they call my house to give lab results or anything they even block their name so it won't show up on my caller ID.

But, you know, you can spread rumors without seeing anyone's name on a list. AND, everyone would know that the person spreading the rumor was at the office, or how would she know who else was there. If society wanted to get technical about it, just notice on television news reports about obesity? The stations always show obese people out in public walking around. Obesity is a health problem. Where is HIPPA in regards to those persons' privacy?

[nckdl]

The last time i went to my obgyn i was waiting in a room for the doctor to come in when i heard voices coming through to wall. Apparently when they redid the office they never thought to make the walls thicker or sound proof because i heard everything the lady next to me had wrong with her.:uhoh21: Of course i brought it up to the doctor. Hmmm i wonder how many people know my problems!!!! :imbar