How to get info about family members who are in hospital

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Jul 4, 2006

The only way this can happen is if the father's nurse asks his permission to give information and if he says yes, then the information can be provided. Or if family members with the father pass along the information. There is no other way that does not violate HIPPA.

vastudent · Jul 4, 2006

Thanks gonzo,

That is what I thought. I was hoping there was some other way. Info has been very helpful.

TazziRN, RN · Jul 4, 2006

Sorry your friend is going through this, I know how scary it must be to not know anything. Unfortunately, unless the father gives permission for the nurse to say anything, nothing can be said.

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2006

The patient can be asked to think up a unique passcode and provide it to the staff. Then he has to share the code with the family members he wants to know about his condition. If the family member calls in and gives the code, then the staff can share HIPAA information with them. Of course, if the patient is too sick to do this, it won't work.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Jul 4, 2006

I thought HIPPA did not apply to immediate family member is emergency situations. At least that is what they told us, say that people would be freaking out about emergency situations. Maybe I heard that wrong.

Sunflowerinsc, ADN, RN · Jul 4, 2006

The patient can be asked to think up a unique passcode and provide it to the staff. Then he has to share the code with the family members he wants to know about his condition. If the family member calls in and gives the code, then the staff can share HIPAA information with them. Of course, if the patient is too sick to do this, it won't work.

At our hospital,on admission pt is given a card stating "know the code". The code is 4 numbers of their account number,account,not medical record. Pt can give this information to anyone they wish to be given information by phone or in person. Of course,we hope they give it to just one person who can relay information to other family ,but alot of times several people do have the code and can receive information .If they can not receive the card, the person who is with them on admission is the one who receives the code card. Of course sometimes this is not workable depending on pt's condition and if any one is with them on admission. This is another good reason to have your information in order, POA, Living will and health POA .And to have your HIPPA forms signed at Dr's ,hospital BEFORE emergency.

LPN1974, LPN · Jul 4, 2006

What if the patient is too sick or unresponsive to do codes or passwords?

Who is going to take responsibility then, for the patient?

Sounds to me like HIPAA could cause trouble.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 4, 2006

I thought HIPPA did not apply to immediate family member is emergency situations. At least that is what they told us, say that people would be freaking out about emergency situations. Maybe I heard that wrong.

It applies to all situations. How could you decide which was an emergency and which was not?

Empress · Jul 4, 2006

I would hope the medical professionals in charge of this person would know if it is an emergency or not.

adnstudent2007 · Jul 4, 2006

When I have had family members in the hospital in with very severe problems, the next of kin was notified. I would think if one of the daughters is next of kin, she would have to be notified. Especially if he is not fit to make medical decisions, someone would have to make them for him.

Trauma Columnist · Jul 4, 2006

Empress - Hipaa is taken VERY seriously. I worked in a level one ER for 10 years and we were exceedingly careful about notifying people of their loved ones conditions. If the patient is AAOx3, we always asked prior to giving any info and we also charted: "Received call from Mr. Smith's significant other. After obtaining verbal consent to disclose information to significant, I explained plan of care and they verbalized understanding."