Is this a violation of HIPPA?

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So I was out with my friend who was telling me all about her new job at a hospital and all the exciting things she has learned. She has not said any names, merely talking about how pitiful some of her patients are after she starts her shift and how rude some of the nurses are towards her. She isn't a nurse herself and to protect herself, I won't say what she is. However, she has direct contact with patients and is now in fear of violating HIPPA. All she mentioned was that someone had an IV in her nipple (sounds very painful) and wanted to be stuck there for a procedure and that she's just had to deal with what patients have said to her. One evening she had to perform a procedure on an elderly patient who wasn't too happy with how her nurse had been talking about her. Is she in violation?

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Specializes in ICU, Postpartum, Onc, PACU.

I don't think so, but I hope other nurses will weigh in because I'm not sure. If she only told you and you were in private, I wouldn't think there would be a problem, but I'd be careful. If you were at lunch somewhere or in a public place, maybe. You never know who's listening and who might pick up on the conversation.

xo

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

OP, are you a nurse? If so, you'd know the answer to your own question!

What do you think the answer is?

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I had to stop reading at "IV in nipple".

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I had to stop reading at "IV in nipple".

That's where I put all of mine. ;)

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Specializes in Care Coordination, Care Management.

What is HIPPA?

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
I had to stop reading at "IV in nipple".

Hey wherever you can get a vein right? :p Wasn't there another thread about putting an IV in a member?

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I'm really not mean or snarky, but I can't stop myself from joking that it's a HIPAA violation to spell it 'HIPPA'.

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Specializes in Nursey stuff.
someone had an IV in her nipple

I learn so much from theses posts! Where do I place the tourniquet? I need an inservice, I need a visual...quick!

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No. This is not a HIPAA violation.

If she told you protected health information about somebody you know, that would be a HIPAA violation.

If she told you enough private information that you could figure out who the person was, that would be a HIPAA violation.

Speaking in general terms about situations is not a HIPAA violation. It's not smart, but it isn't against the law. It may be against her institution's policies, so she still needs to be careful.

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