Is this a HIPAA issue?

Nurses HIPAA

Published

As a support staffer, I'm part of a team that takes turns working in shifts at our healthcare facility. Our team is alerted to special situations (like emergencies, codes, etc) in which our support may be needed, and we get these alerts remotely. My coworker still had about 20 minutes on their shift before my shift began, when I got an alert about a code. I texted my coworker (on my personal phone) and wrote something like, "I saw the alert about the code at X hour, and wonder if I should come in, or if you were able to take care of it." I didn't mention room number or facility (of course my coworker knew the facility) nor patient name, and wonder if a message like this may be safe, I.e., not HIPAA violation? 

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Can anyone else identify the patient based on the text? Doesn't sound like. I don't think you could have been more generic. 

You're good. No violation. ?

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