Is this a privacy violation?

kstec, LPN · Aug 10, 2007

Yes that is defintely a HIPPA violation. Unless your husband told you about the visit and his medication, you should of never been made aware. I've seen many spouses of friends of mine and I would never, never mention to there family members that I saw them. It's the patients right to disclose any information, not staff. What if you hadn't know about your husbands condition or visit to office, you would of questioned him about something he didn't want you to know about now or ever. As much as I hate some of the HIPPA laws, I respect the fact the whomever sees me at my doctors office for whatever reason, keeps that information without the fear of it getting out.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Aug 10, 2007

I think it's a breach.

If she'd said "I ran into your husband in the cafeteria today, you didn't tell me blah blah blah" that's a different story. I've been in that exact same position, in fact. When I ran into my friend's husband in the hallway, I didn't hesitate to mention it; when he came into my office, I never said a word. Let me add, I was occupational health in the manufacturing facility where he was employed!

In this case, had I been her, I would not have mentioned your hubby at all.

There are times it's difficult, and there have been many times I've pretended that I don't know something that I do know. That's just the way it has to be. Sometimes it's rather funny, in fact. I've had my husband come home and say "Oh, Jane Doe is having surgery tomorrow" and I answer "Oh, really?" when I'm thinking "Yes, I know, I referred her to the surgeon!!"

Ms Kylee · Aug 10, 2007

HIPPA = Everything is on a need to know basis.... and you don't need to know....

linzz · Aug 10, 2007

I am so glad that you guys responded the way you did because I really did feel that my husband's privacy was violated. I took care of one of my son's friend's relatives at the hospital and I would not have dared to mention this to them at all.

woody62, RN · Aug 10, 2007

Today I received an email from an acquaintance whom I went to nursing school with. She now works in occupational health at the same company that my spouse works at. The email stated "Hi, how are you, we should get together some time, and by the way your husband was in today for some medication and you didn't tell me he works at xyz company." I am somewhat bothered by this because it just doesn't seem appropriate at all. Am I being picky or is this a breach of confidentiality. Thanks for all replies.

I noticed that you live in Canada. Does Canada have any laws protecting information about a patient being released to his spouse? If all she did was comment your husband was in today, without giving you the name of the medication, I see no problem. And perhaps you are being a bit too sensitive. But if she did reveal the medication, I think you need to have a calm talk with her about talking to the spouse of an employee. There are employees who do not have a problem with information being shared with their spouse. Perhaps she was thinking this when she shared.

Woody:balloons:

ericalynn, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2007

absolutly a HIPPA violation

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 10, 2007

Definitely a privacy violation.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 10, 2007

I would have been a bit uncomfortable because she sent you an email. How did she get the address? If you gave it to her while you were in school, then that may be a bit different. But, if she obtained it from his file, I would have had a problem with that. It is wishy washy about mentioning the fact that he came to her place of work. She didn't mention his medication or why he was there, so, it may not be an actual violation, but I am not sure about that.

I guess that I am particular about former classmates because I didn't care for most of mine and wish to put the school as well as knowing them behind me. I blocked all of their emails from contacting me, except for one.

I have remained in contact with one of my old co-workers, and several times, recently, she mentioned a particular ex-coworker several times. Coincidently, a month later when I began working my short lived orientation in med-surg, that woman was a patient in the hospital. I made time to sit with her, she mentioned her condition and I had to medicate her. She even asked about my friend. It was a hot subject, but I forced myself to keep busy and not contact my close friend until I got over wanting to mention it (it was REALLY hard). However, I got over it, and was able to speak to my friend again without wanting to mention it to her. I would hate to have broken HIPPA so early in my career and this was a good practice to start not mentioning things early in the game.

We have employees who do this to each other. We are all in the scheduling program in the computer since all of us needed to go through employee's health for labs and a physical. Some of my co-workers have gone in to get information for people's birthdays in order to throw surprise parties for them. I was outraged and mentioned to them that if a party is thrown for me, there will be hell to pay. In fact, I changed my address to an old one and several numbers in my social security number behind this. Think about it; an enemy can get into the system that has computer access and gain all of the information needed for credit fraud; our birthdates, ss#, mother's maiden name, etc...and you would have no idea how this has happened.

linzz · Aug 10, 2007

Although I likely will let this go once, I will have a talk with her if it happens again. As all of the posts have stated, it is indeed a violation of (PHIPA), 2004. It is also considered professional misconduct according to our BON practice standard. I will not report her to the BON, but it sure has been an interesting experience that I will take as a learning experience in which I will always continue to respect privacy of any patients that I may be assigned to.

linzz · Aug 10, 2007

Pagandeva2000: Yes, I gave her my email when I was working on a group project with her. My mistake. Sigh.

Kim O'Therapy, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2007

I agree....privacy violation. I once ran into an old friend of mine while she was visiting her oncologist (that is part of my clinic). I was excited to see her looking well and happy and ASKED HER IF IT WAS OK FOR ME TO TELL MUTUAL FRIENDS THAT I SAW HER. She was fine with it; otherwise, I would not have mentioned it.