Is It Wrong to Look at Your Own Medical Info?

[jamonit]

Hi everyone.

Quick question...I work at the hospital where I recently had an MRI. Is it technically against most healthcare institutions' policy to pull up your own

chart on your work computer and read lab or MRI reports? I'm assuming

that it is, but it seems like it should be fair, being that it's your own info.

What do you all think?

Thanks:specs:

[Wolfe24]

I'm thinking that seems to be pretty typical. I am just wanting to read my MRI report so badly...

I have a mass on my knee and they did an MRI with contrast, last minute, at the suggestion of the radiologist on call, to see if my "tumor lights up with contrast." I wasn't scheduled for that part of the exam and I'm thinking they found something of concern.....

I'm just really anxious to hear what I'm dealing with, worried about osteosarcoma.

They do contrast with any kind of mass or infection, so I wouldn't worry too much. It may just be a cyst or something benign... they'd still do contrast for that.

As far as looking up your own info, it is most definitely against HIPAA. I can't remember what the consequences are, but I would not be surprised if they included firing. You do have a right to look at your own medical record, but your doctor has the right to do so with you so he can answer questions and clarify things for you.

[LydiaNN]

IMHO, it shouldn't be a HIPAA violation, since the party intended to be protected by HIPAA is you. I would think it would more accurately be considered a violation of your facility's HIPAA implementation policy; that is, there is a protocol for accessing and delivering health related information to patients and most likely, that policy doesn't include pulling up your own records.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

In my hospital we can't look up our own files but we can walk over to medical records, sign a release of information, they look them up and hand them to us. So it's a pain, but you get the information in the end. This is only in theory- I've never tried them out.

I have for all records everywhere, signed for my own records, refused to pay for them though (another day). It's correct, it's in your pocession and when I was misdiagnosed I was ready.

Hope you hear good news!

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

For insurance purposes I use the same lab where I work for my routine labs. I always look up my own labs. Last time I had an exam, I looked them up and copied them and brought to the doc the next day. I had access before he did, as the lab hadn't faxed the results to him yet.

Perhaps I'm taking a risk, but surely my employer isn't going to fire a 15 year veteran for looking up his own labs. It's a risk I'm willing to take, HIPPA violation or not.

I've never heard of anyone in my facility getting into any kind of trouble for this. I have heard of persons getting fired for looking up information in someone elses chart however.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

IMHO, it shouldn't be a HIPAA violation, since the party intended to be protected by HIPAA is you. I would think it would more accurately be considered a violation of your facility's HIPAA implementation policy; that is, there is a protocol for accessing and delivering health related information to patients and most likely, that policy doesn't include pulling up your own records.

I 100% agree.

[suzanne4, RN]

People can get terminated for looking at records of patients that are not under their care. And you are not a legal patient under your care when it comes to looking at your records.

Any time that you access any record on the hospital's computer system, there is a log kept of who had access to it. Not a good idea to see your name looking at your records.

You may wish to check with HR before doing any more looking. Those records are actually those of the hospital, and unless you go to medical records and sign a release for them, then you should not be accessing them, they do not belong to you, even if you are the patient.

[Zookeeper3]

We have a policy that clearly states it is not allowed. We're notified in orientation. If it is not against specific policy I don't see why not. IMHO.

[putmetosleep]

At my facility, it IS okay to look at your own medical records, but definitely not a co-workers, family members' (even children), etc. But you can't CHANGE anything in your medical history, just look at it. I'd check your facility's HIPPA policy and see what they have to say.

[lpnstudentin2010, LPN]

I think it should be ok. I mean it is your info, you will get it one way or another and since you understand medicine more then a layperson you should be able to accss it.

[richelle362]

That is grounds for dismissal where I work.

[gtmoore]

Yes it's against policy, and people have been fired at my hospital. You have to go through the traditional route of requesting your medical record just as any other patient has to do.

[mac-rn]

One Can Be Terminated For Looking At Thier Own Or Family Medical Records At The Facility That I Work As Violation Of Hippa Policy. The Computer Guys Watches Every Thing Because You Are Leaving Your "fingerprint". Several Co-workers Have Been Fired For This. My Advise Will Talk With Your Doctor Or Pay Medical Records For A Written Copy.