In all these posts, although HIPAA requirements are mentioned, I read nothing about obtaining patient permission for a shadow. Now, you're response might be, Of course we get patient permission-- I wonder how it's done. Is patient permission embedded in one of those confusing forms patients sign -- so do you assume the patient has "general" informed consent if they've signed that form -- or do you asked each individual patient each individual time if that patient would mind someone shadowing the nurse -- letting that patient know the shadow may be anything from a high school student to a student nurse or doctor? And what do you do about patients in an ER -- when do they get to give their consent -- or with patients who are not conscious? In other words, is there a standard protocol for this, or is it done differently form hospital to hospital?How specifically do you define informed consent when dealing with shadows?
You are exactly right. I think those are concerns we all have and sort of summed up by invoking HIPAA, which has become a sort of general-purpose code word for "privacy concerns" (above and beyond the specific requirements of the HIPAA regulations). This is why I can't imagine how or why any hospitals allow "shadowing" (I would certainly not, for these reasons and others, if I were responsible for any healthcare facility).
elkpark
14,633 Posts
You are exactly right. I think those are concerns we all have and sort of summed up by invoking HIPAA, which has become a sort of general-purpose code word for "privacy concerns" (above and beyond the specific requirements of the HIPAA regulations). This is why I can't imagine how or why any hospitals allow "shadowing" (I would certainly not, for these reasons and others, if I were responsible for any healthcare facility).