Is this a Violation?

[Taylors33, ADN]

I’m curious if this constitutes as a HIPAA violation. I was looking over my patients chart and noticed their address had a long unusual name. I entered the address in Google to confirm that said address matched what was in the chart. After I confirmed it, I started looking at addresses in the surrounding areas, browsing houses. After about 5 minutes my mind went “wait a minute isn’t this a HIPAA violation” and exited out of the site and resumed my charting. I honestly feel like It was a violation not matter how long I was “browsing” for. I appreciate any input, I feel horrible and guilty for allowing this to happen.

[klone, MSN, RN]

In your own words, what is a HIPAA violation, generally speaking?

[Taylors33, ADN]

 A HIPAA violation is when colleagues share a patients information with individuals not involved in my or others care. Posting private patient information to social media platforms. Leaving patient information lying around. Or opening a patient records that you are not involved with. 

[RNperdiem, RN]

Your common sense alerted you when you started crossing some boundaries. Then you were self-aware enough to stop looking up where this person lives and get back to work.

I wouldn't call nosiness a HIPPA violation, and you seem to have learned your lesson. Forgive yourself and move on.

[JKL33]

Not a HIPAA violation.

 

 

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

You didn't identify personal information to anyone else. No violation. There have been times I've searched the obituary of patients I cared for to learn more about them. Never shared with anyone that I cared for them, or searched and left pages open for others to see. I don't think there's anything wrong with that. 

[mtmkjr, BSN]

Not HIPAA. 

However there are other violations of privacy to be considered. What if you found out that the person's home was in a bad section of town/wealthy area and (subconsciously even) made judgments about them based on that - I can see for some that could factor into the care-giving. 

You did the right thing getting out of there, but there isn't any compliance issue

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Not HIPAA but not professional.

As a patient I would not like this.

[guest1200295]

When I began in health care (and I am NOT an RN), my interest in the person sometimes led me to look for, and read, patient obituaries. Obituaries are public records, after all. And, I recently read a beautiful editorial written by a physician about how they read obituaries of their patients to get a fuller sense of the (oft-forgotten whole picture) of the patient. But more recently, I've taken a more hands-off approach to reading obits, because for me it can be a boundary issue (sometimes I'd get too emotionally involved with patients and loved ones, and I realized it wasn't healthy for me). Bottom line: we are human, and we are inquisitive, and we are complex. Give yourself a hug for all of the care you give others, and maybe (if you feel it is appropriate) steer clear of stuff you feel uncomfortable with.