I have a rather urgent request. Sorry about starting a new thread for this question, but I have a friend that needs help. She has asked for my advice and I don't know what to tell her.
She got a call last night from her sister. Her father was admitted to a hospital (in KY). Both she and her sister live out of state, and are making the effort to get to KY. Meanwhile, the hospital will not tell them anything. Unfortunately, her father is alone and they have not yet been able to talk to him. Is there some way that they can access a HIPAA code that will allow them to get some information while they try and get to KY. That is all the info I have at the moment. I am not even sure how her sister found out that he was in the hospital. Any help or adivce would be much appreciated. Thanks
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.
Notifying someone that a loved one is in the hospital is not the same as sharing medical info with them. When someone calls the ER asking if a pt is there and they provide me with the correct first and last name, I can say if the pt is there or not, beyond that I can say nothing without permission from the pt. If the pt is an unaccompanied minor and the parent is calling, I ask for some identifying info, like social, or I ask for a question I can ask the pt that only the pt would know the answer to. This prevents the neighbor's cousin Suzy's best friend from finding out what's going on.
The fact that someone is IN the hospital is not a HIPAA issue. Even the condition -- stabel, critical, etc. -- can be shared. Beyond that we can say nothing without permission.
I never heard of a HIPPA pass code This is the first i have ever heard about it. Is implamented in a couple of states or is it all over and certain hospitals haven't started to use this system? It sounds like this is a new thing Do that give you the card to fill out when your getting checked into the emergency room or is it for patients who are getting admitted to the hospital for a couple of days or weeks?
I never heard of a HIPPA pass code This is the first i have ever heard about it. Is implamented in a couple of states or is it all over and certain hospitals haven't started to use this system? It sounds like this is a new thing Do that give you the card to fill out when your getting checked into the emergency room or is it for patients who are getting admitted to the hospital for a couple of days or weeks?
It's done with in pts here. Each pt is told what part of the account number is the password and is instructed to pass it on to anyone he/she wants to get info.
If the pt is at all able to talk on the phone, the safest thing to do would be to transfer the call to the pt. When this isn't possible, you have to work with the system. I have seen relatives given the password by the doc, who knows the family and knows that's what the pt would want. As I posted before, in the ER I have asked a parent for some identifying info before I tell them about their unaccompanied child. Parents are entitled to all info regarding their children, but first a parent has to prove to me that he/she IS the parent.
If the father is competent, he needs to talk to them about his condition or give permission for HCP to give info.
If he is incompetent, that reverts to next of kin. And merely being sick or some "emergencies" do not negate need for consent if the patient is able to give it. It is only if they are unable to reasonably give consent, that reverts to other family members.
And in some facilities, you can be in trouble for even saying that the patient is in the hospital. Given that many injuries are the result of home violence, and there are frequently problems w/family members or SOs, it could create a dangerous situation for the patient and the staff.
The fact that someone is IN the hospital is not a HIPAA issue. Even the condition -- stabel, critical, etc. -- can be shared. Beyond that we can say nothing without permission.
Being "in " the hospital can be a HIPAA issue if the pt requests admission not to be released. Then all we can say is " I have no information on "John Doe" even if it's his wife, the preacher or "just a friend who has lived next door to John for 30 years!!!!! Can not say he is in the hospital or give any information at all. If a pt is admitted as confidential at their request ,no infromation at all is given. Their name has a "c" before it on all paper work, in the computer ,ect. I'm not sure how ER handles all that. It does causes problems and bad feelings with the public but here HIPPA rules are taken very serious and staff has been fired on the spot!
The fact that someone is IN the hospital is not a HIPAA issue. Even the condition -- stabel, critical, etc. -- can be shared. Beyond that we can say nothing without permission.
Being "in " the hospital can be a HIPAA issue if the pt requests admission not to be released. Then all we can say is " I have no information on "John Doe" even if it's his wife, the preacher or "just a friend who has lived next door to John for 30 years!!!!! Can not say he is in the hospital or give any information at all. If a pt is admitted as confidential at their request ,no infromation at all is given. Their name has a "c" before it on all paper work, in the computer ,ect. I'm not sure how ER handles all that. It does causes problems and bad feelings with the public but here HIPPA rules are taken very serious and staff has been fired on the spot!
You're right.......IF the pt requests. Most do not. I was speaking in generalities.
The ER is the same....IF the pt requests no info be given out, we do not even acknowledge his/her presence. Most people do not care if it's known they are in the hospital.
Any help or adivce would be much appreciated. Thanks
TazziRN, RN
6,487 Posts
Notifying someone that a loved one is in the hospital is not the same as sharing medical info with them. When someone calls the ER asking if a pt is there and they provide me with the correct first and last name, I can say if the pt is there or not, beyond that I can say nothing without permission from the pt. If the pt is an unaccompanied minor and the parent is calling, I ask for some identifying info, like social, or I ask for a question I can ask the pt that only the pt would know the answer to. This prevents the neighbor's cousin Suzy's best friend from finding out what's going on.
The fact that someone is IN the hospital is not a HIPAA issue. Even the condition -- stabel, critical, etc. -- can be shared. Beyond that we can say nothing without permission.