How to dodge HIPAA?

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I am loking for some idea's on how to work around this Hippa issue. I have a neighbor who... let's say is not one of most upstanding citizens in our community and has numerous warrents for his arrest. The police know him very well but are never able to find him outside of his house. The other day he came into our ED for a follow up to an mvc. We have a police officer there 24/7. Could I have just told the officer that he had warrents or could I have fraised it in a way as not to violate a HIPPA issue?

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Corrected title to "HIPAA"

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i'm concerned about you, actually. i don't know why this is so important...is he dangerous? i've had patients who were most likely wanted by law enforcement, but my job is to care for them, which includes respecting their rights. i doubt you'd want to be turned in when you are seeking medical care. if we start doing this, then people might not be compliant with follow ups or might avoid health care at all costs.

*jess*[/quote

gee, i wonder if he respected the rights of his victims.....:no:

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....

As for the HIPAA issue itself, I'm not sure an officer can run someone "just because." I could be wrong, but I think there has to be a valid reason to check a person's status. If that's the case, the finger would point back to you as the initiator of the request....

Officers can "run" anyone, anytime, without any particular reason. It's getting to the person that is the challenge. Traffic stops, for example, cannot be made for that sole purpose. The officer has to have legitimate reason to be in contact with the person he/she is running a name check on.

In the OP's example, the officer is employed at the hospital, presumably as security. The patient is the "shady" subject of concern, also at the same hospital. The officer has legitimate reason to be in contact with the subject in the normal course of his/her employment there. A valid warrants check can then be made.

I used to do it all the time, when I had nothing better to do. :wink2:

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Specializes in med-surg.

There is a difference between 'running a warrant' which is what police/security should do and a 'nurse' reporting someone to a security officer based on 'impressions' that are seemingly unfounded or based on personal dislike.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

some information i think you need to know:

  • neighbor, n. a fellow man. v.i. to have friendly relations; associate on friendly terms. (webster's new world dictionary of the american language, college edition)
  • http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/spelling.htm - some rules and suggestions about spelling
    • the correct spelling of "fraised" is phrased

    [*]if the police know this guy so well, are really concerned about him being a danger to society and he rates #1 on their "most wanted" list, they'll find him without your help.

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