Is looking at your own health info a HIPPA violation?

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2009

I'm not sure if it violates HIPPA but it is against my hospital's policy. I can get fired if I access my own chart but I can walk down the hall to records, put in a request and get those records without risking my job. Since it's so easy to get them the right way, I don't risk pulling them up myself.

onetiredmomma · Apr 22, 2009

Most places consider it to be so. Employee-patients are expected to go through the same procedure to see their medical record as everyone else...Fill out a med records req form and get the paperwork through med records.

Atheos · Apr 22, 2009

It IS a violation of HIPAA and many people have been fired over it.

Improperly accessing a system containing HIPAA protected material is considered a HIPAA violation. Even if the info is yours.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · Apr 22, 2009

I just went through a hospital orientation a month ago and looking up your own medical record without following the usual protocol was explicitly noted as a HIPAA violation.

Straydandelion · Apr 22, 2009

I just went through a hospital orientation a month ago and looking up your own medical record without following the usual protocol was explicitly noted as a HIPAA violation.

Not being conversant in HIPPA very well except what everyone can read of it...how it can be a violation of privacy to see your own information except in certain context is strange.

nkochrn, RN · Apr 22, 2009

Our facility is WAY behind in the computerized charting dept. They recently started scaning charts into the system so we could view them instead of having to go get a paper chart. We were all supposed to 'practice' looking things up on the computer in our spare time. A lot of the nurses are very computer illeterate and won't remember how to do it without going through the process SEVERAL times and often. So I know a few of us looked up our own names since we had no reason to be viewing someone else's chart. It almost sounds like the hospital was telling us to violate HIPPA. :uhoh3:

josinda421 · Apr 22, 2009

Our facility is WAY behind in the computerized charting dept. They recently started scaning charts into the system so we could view them instead of having to go get a paper chart. We were all supposed to 'practice' looking things up on the computer in our spare time. A lot of the nurses are very computer illeterate and won't remember how to do it without going through the process SEVERAL times and often. So I know a few of us looked up our own names since we had no reason to be viewing someone else's chart. It almost sounds like the hospital was telling us to violate HIPPA.

to me I don't see it as violating Hippa, if it's you OWN information. I've checked my own infor several times being that I use the same doctors at the hospital I work and I've never had any programs.

tenexe · Apr 22, 2009

looking at your own medical records is not a hippa violation. It may violate hospital policy but it is absolutely not a hippa violation. You must also realize that very few hospitals understand the hippa guidelines themselves.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Apr 22, 2009

It may not be a violation, but it will usually get you fired.

allnurses Guide · Apr 22, 2009

HIPAA, not HIPPA!!

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Apr 22, 2009

HIPAA, HIPPA, it doesn't matter, but most hospitals do have a policy in place regarding accessing your or your family members chart. Where I work we have a mychart on line that we can access and see labs, etc once the doc has reviewed them. I think it is stupid, but who am I LOL