Is this inappropriate?

Jo Dirt · Nov 16, 2007

There's nothing new under the Sun. This will always happen. Sometimes, it's just fun to call people down on it, though.

TiredMD · Nov 16, 2007

The part about perusing her friend's chart... that, I have more of a problem with. In spite of her being a manager, I feel like she has no right to be examining her friend's chart. The professional thing would be to have another member of management perform the chart audit on that chart, IF that is what this manager is trying to claim that she is doing.

Perhaps the patient consented to have her friend examine her chart, as a way to ensure that she was getting the best possible care? I think if I were admitted, I would ask a friend to do the same.

2shihtzus · Nov 16, 2007

I would never begrudge someone getting the best possible care...and the room was not the "best" in the hospital. The LVN wanted to be admitted to her home unit, and I can understand that. I would have done the same.

The part that bugs me is the manager looking in the chart. I think it was inappropriate, especially when she just recently reminded the whole unit about HIPAA laws. She and this LVN are best friends, and the favoritism is unprofessional, to say the least.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2007

If I can...I'd like to weigh in on the issue....

I work on a ortho unit and we have 5 really nice private rooms with large plasma tv's, and while everyone says that they're not for surgeries...95% of the time the sugeries wind up going there, most knees and hips....occasionally a very tough neuro case. The problem becomes when just any old person doesn't qualify...one doctor in particular likes to order his patients private rooms, and when the order is found at 950 at night...then we have to move out the roommate or move said person to other room, etc.

If I was admitted to the hospital...I would insist on having who I would "like" as my nurse because some of them are better. I would ask my NM to stay OUT of my chart, as it's my business, my doc's and my nurse. However, how do we know your coworkers aren't doing the same thing? just saying....

Part of the perk of knowing the people in the hospital is knowing your care will be the best as possible cause if it's not, Ya'll hear about it when I come back!!

just my .02 cents.

leslie :-D · Nov 17, 2007

i just wish everyone could go to the hospital, knowing they will be getting the best care possible.

personally?

i've always rejected vip tx.

everyone deserves the same considerations.

but i've accepted it's here to stay.

and btw, it's usually the sickest pts, who should be closest to the nurse's station.

leslie

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 17, 2007

I don't see the issue just now. The LPN probably gave the manager permission to look up her chart and to ensure that she is getting the best of care. I would want the same for me or my family. We do offer courtesy for the employees and their families. I do admit it is a pain in the rear, but, I would want the same for me. What makes me not want to get deep care at my hospital is that I also know what the nurses are totally capable of doing...reading my chart illegally and spreading my business. But, I have had my feet treated with the podiatrist at my hospital whenever I felt like it, and one of the doctors may do a physical for my son (a basic one, because he is currently healthy and needs his vaccinations to be current).

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 17, 2007

One thing I will say, though...if the treatment of the LPN is interfering with the care of the rest of the patients, or totally inconvienant to the staff, now THAT, I would have an issue about. Otherwise, I would probably let it be.

caliotter3 · Nov 17, 2007

It is inappropriate. HIPAA is HIPAA. She had no valid reason to look at those records. I suppose she would also look at the records of someone she detests.

Even with permission from the patient, it is inappropriate because she can influence the patient's care and attempt to get her friend favored treatment. Definite ethics problem here.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Nov 17, 2007

I agree this is rather shadey but happens a lot. You need to let it alone. Manager will only make your life difficult if you press this issue.

EmmaG, RN · Nov 17, 2007

It is inappropriate. HIPAA is HIPAA. She had no valid reason to look at those records. I suppose she would also look at the records of someone she detests.
Even with permission from the patient, it is inappropriate because she can influence the patient's care and attempt to get her friend favored treatment. Definite ethics problem here.

Good point.

If the OP is concerned about this, she can always phone an anonymous complaint to the hospital's corporate compliance hotline.

caliotter3 · Nov 17, 2007

Emmanuel

Excellent point about the corporate compliance hotline. I had forgotten about that. One of my former employers actually gave us a little card with the number on it when we got hired. Makes it easier to deal with situations that are swept under the rug locally. If anyone is going to take action, it is corporate hq.

nyapa, RN · Nov 17, 2007

My nurse manager is best friends with one of the LVN's on our unit.
The LVN ended up being admitted, and the manager made sure that this LVN was placed in the hospital room adjacent to her office. She also would frequent the front desk to look at the LVN's medical chart.
Is it just me, or is this a little inappropriate???

No, its not just you! I try to avoid looking after ppl I know. But sometimes it is not possible. There was no reason to be looking at the LVNs chart, and in fact she could avoid looking at it simply because she is not looking after the person personally