How is this not HIPAA?????

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

ok were supposed to be going to bedside report, which is a joke in itself to make the pt feel like a special snowflake, I guess??? Anyhow, if we are in semiprivate rooms with family members all over the place, how is this NOT a violation?????

[MunoRN, RN]

I agree it would be easier to do away with bedside reports and double rooms if it were a violation, but it's not. HIPAA only requires that you make reasonable attempts to ensure privacy. Really, the roommate has always gotten full story on the patient they're sharing a room with. The get admitted, the admitting Nurse goes over their whole story with them in earshot of everyone else. The Doc comes in and does their H&P, also within earshot of everyone else. It's always been like this, bedside report doesn't really change that.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

ok were supposed to be going to bedside report, which is a joke in itself to make the pt feel like a special snowflake, I guess??? Anyhow, if we are in semiprivate rooms with family members all over the place, how is this NOT a violation?????

Yes, it is a violation.

Family members need to be told to step outside during report.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Yes that is correct! I try to keep the visitors out of the room though because even if the pt has allowed family and friends to know about their PHI,the other patient has not.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

Yes that is correct! I try to keep the visitors out of the room though because even if the pt has allowed family and friends to know about their PHI,the other patient has not.

Ahhhh, that's a good point!!

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

I agree, HIPAA violation. Giving report outside the room would be a reasonable precaution. Just because you are sharing a room does not mean everything should be shared. Some privacy is lost, but the hospital should take steps to minimize the amount.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

We were told we can not give report outside of the room. The pt has to be directly involved.

[mariebailey, MSN, RN]

Actually, it is not at all a HIPAA violation to discuss a patient's condition in a semi private room. It is reasonable to expect that the provider's speak quietly and close the curtain. See page 4 FAQs: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/coveredentities/incidentalu&d.pdf