I can't believe this! This is crazy!

[fuzzywuzzy, CNA]

My friend accompanied his wife to a doctor's appointment (his primary doc for a long time; his wife's first visit there). Several hours later he got a text message from one of the women that works there (he's not sure what her title is) saying, "I hope you don't mind, but I got your number from your chart..." She then went on to confess that she has always had a crush on him!!!!! He replied back that she was a nice girl and all, and he's flattered, but he's not available. So then she sent him 2 other messages basically hitting on him saying that she wants to be more than friends and she wished circumstances were different. He showed me the messages and asked what I think he should do. He doesn't want to get her in trouble but he feels like it's going to be awkward the next time he or his wife has an appointment (ya think?).

I'm floored. First of all she accessed his chart when he didn't even have an appointment that day! So she could make an advance toward him that is alllll kinds of INAPPROPRIATE given that he is a patient, and not only married, but married to another patient! I know some people have no boundaries and will throw themselves at attached people, but this takes the cake! And she does all of this via text messaging??? How dumb can you be????

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

this is (actually) a hipaa violation (accessing the chart for a non-healthcare related reason) as well as being very unprofessional. if he doesn't want to report her immediately (i sure would) he should nip it in the bud by letting her know that she is waaay out of line and if she contacts him again for any reason, including responding to this note in any way, he will share the notes she already sent him with her manager. that should do it.

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

Maybe his wife needs to see those text messages. I'm sure she'll know exactly how to handle it. Your friend may not want to get this girl in trouble, but, honestly, she needs to be reprimanded for this. She violated HIPAA by accessing the chart of a patient who 1.) wasn't even being seen that day, and 2.) for something that wasn't even remotely medically-related. And she persisted even after he made it clear that he was married?!

[msbfree]

Reporting her may not result in her being fired, this maybe the only way she can get some help. She not only violated hippa, but she does not appear to have respect for boundaries, and should not work in an environment where people are vulnerable.

[florence66]

I agree! I think he should report this too. It's inappropriate, unprofessional and a HIPPPA violation as has been stated. Whatever her consequences are for this, it's not his problem. The fact that she persisted even after he told her he wasn't interested, indicates she has a serious problem. I hope he reports her.

[eagle78]

Maybe his wife needs to see those text messages. I'm sure she'll know exactly how to handle it. Your friend may not want to get this girl in trouble but, honestly, she [i']needs[/i] to be reprimanded for this. She violated HIPAA by accessing the chart of a patient who 1.) wasn't even being seen that day, and 2.) for something that wasn't even remotely medically-related. And she persisted even after he made it clear that he was married?!

Telling his wife might cause the girl to become a patient...

[Poi Dog]

Wow, can you say looney tune?

That chick really needs to exercise some restraint

[canesdukegirl, BSN, RN]

Umm...why is he so concerned about getting her into trouble? He didn't do anything wrong, but she certainly did. I wonder what his wife thinks? Does she even know? I would be willing to bet my inheritance that she would have no qualms "getting her into trouble" by reporting this appalling behavior.

Since it is very clear that this clinic employee finds nothing wrong with accessing information AND using it for her own motives, I wonder what other boundaries she crosses in the health care field. This person is a liability for the clinic, and I surmise that if her behaviors persist in this fashion, the clinic will soon be facing a lawsuit or two.

What did your friend decide to do?

[leslie :-D]

i'd report it to the dr in a heartbeat.

he would appreciate the seriousness of a hipaa violation.

she just should not be working in this environment at all.

good riddance.

leslie

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

Some people are insane and desperate for a man. Hint hint he has a wife, how the hell would you feel if your husband did that to you? Some people are heartless and stupid.

[lrobinson5]

I think if he doesn't want to tell on her than you should. I'm sure his wife feels the same way! She has no business working in healthcare and you need to explain that to him. It would have been one thing to flirt with him, but to take info out of a chart to do it is just amazing. I would guess this is not the first time she has rifled through a patients chart.

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Completely inappropriate and wrong on so many levels. As "your friend" how would he feel if this happened to his wife instead. Would he want his wife to report the male employee that accessed the records without warrant to try and taker her from him??

This employee needs to be disciplined and realize this behavior is unacceptable. It also makes the doctors office look bad and unprofessional.

ETA: I am not sure how you and the husband are friends or if he told his wife about this, but if not, if it were me, I would also be a bit upset my husband went and showed a female friend about this and didn't tell me. (if she doesn't know) It seems like the husband should have talked to his wife about this first.