Is this a privacy violation?

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:uhoh3: 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.
Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

HIPAA

It's HIPAA, not HIPPA.

:)

Thank you.

PS-I probably would have asked innocently "Wow, and you went out of your way to ask him if it was okay that you mentioned this to me? That's sweet of you, I'll have to ask if he remembers seeing you!"

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One thing I had to be careful of was acknowledging a patient outside of the hospital. A polite hello in passing is all.(The way I would greet any stranger walking by) I saw a fellow nurse go up and actually talk to her former patient in the store about her hospital stay. I was taught in Nursing school, the only way this is legal is if they begin discussing their case; then at that time, it is ok to acknowledge them as a former patient.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

KellNY: I wish I had thought of that response. Love it. None of this surprises me, the girl was pretty strange in nursing school and certainly a gossipy type.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
KellNY: I wish I had thought of that response. Love it. None of this surprises me, the girl was pretty strange in nursing school and certainly a gossipy type.

There's no room for gossip in healthcare

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Specializes in Onc/Hem, School/Community.
HIPAA

It's HIPAA, not HIPPA.

:)

Thank you.

PS-I probably would have asked innocently "Wow, and you went out of your way to ask him if it was okay that you mentioned this to me? That's sweet of you, I'll have to ask if he remembers seeing you!"

:trout::lol2::lol2: Good one! LOL

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
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.

I am a bit confused. Do you live in Canada and work in the U.S.? To be honest, I have a problem with HIPPA or HIPAA. It is my understanding it came into being to protect patients from having their insurance companies sharing their health information. And it expanded into hospitals, doctors, etc, etc. I am all for protecting a patient's privacy. But when you protect them to the extent of not even including their spouse, that is going a bit to far. At least it is in my humble way.

It was a good thing my daughter bought my signed health care proxy, when I was admitted to an ICU. If she hadn't, they wouldn't have given her any information.

Woody:balloons:

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Specializes in RN CRRN.
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:

No you are not too sensitive--just think what did she tell other pp about your husband being there and his meds? Where does she stop with privacy? She obviously has no filters on who and what she treats. Absolutely a violation. It isn't about whether employees have a prob or not with their health info being shared (violated) with spouses or not. It is about the law. It was broke

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Specializes in RN CRRN.

actually it is health information privacy portability act. HIPPA not HIPAA pretty sure anyway....i think

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
actually it is health information privacy portability act. HIPPA not HIPAA pretty sure anyway....i think

Health Information Portability and Accountability Act. :)

And I agree, there's no room for gossip in health care. Unfortunately, it abounds.:down:

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Specializes in RN CRRN.
Health Information Portability and Accountability Act. :)

And I agree, there's no room for gossip in health care. Unfortunately, it abounds.:down:

my bad :)

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