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Discussion

Is this wrong to tell?

The child I take care of at school is having difficulty with some very tragic family problems so when I get to school the teache is asking what is wrong that he is so upset. Since his parents talk to me and tell me I feel it may help the teacher to knopw what is going on. The other nurse (there when I am not) tells the teacher everything. I can see the point of doing it but I am also concerned that since parents hired me they may not appreciate this being told. I feel that since child does not communicate well this works to his advantage because then teacher offers more TLC but is this a HIPPA violation or something?

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If there is abuse involved, you are a mandated reporter.

Is it possible to ask a superior for help with this? Do you have policies that you need to go by when giving a teacher information?

I have never worked in a school environment, so I am not sure if they are part of the health care team. I have worked in group home as a Medical Assistant with teenagers with mental health problems, where everyone who worked there was part of the team. No matter if they were a teacher, a counselor, or a sitter. The mental health status of the student was viable to help everyone understand what they were going through at that time.

  • Author

Their is no abuse. Parents are having difficulties and child is in the middle of it all. Child is unable to verbalize most of his concerns and sadness. I just think that the teacher knowing will give her a better understanding and more compassion for child's outbursts and aggression.

Their is no abuse. Parents are having difficulties and child is in the middle of it all. Child is unable to verbalize most of his concerns and sadness. I just think that the teacher knowing will give her a better understanding and more compassion for child's outbursts and aggression.

I think so too. Just check the policy or maybe even ask the coworker is this allowed. I hope you get a better answer here, and good luck. :nurse:

  • Experts

I would not disclose anything I knew about what was going on in the home with the kid's parents without the explicit consent of the parents; and, even in that case, does the teacher really need to know specifics?

If this is a public school setting, the school staff, including the teacher, are definitely not part of the kid's treatment team and are not automatically entitled to any detailed info about the child's case and/or family situation. I'm v. concerned to hear that the "other" nurse is telling the teacher "everything."

I would consult with my superiors/supervisors for guidance before disclosing any personal info at the school.

Yes this is a clear HIPPA violation. If you do not have parents consent, preferably written consent, it is not okay to divuldge the family's personal story. The parent must be in control of this information. SOme teachers are notorious gossips, so you may be spreading news far beyond where you intend. While health professionals have rules about sharing private information, teachers observe very few such rules. IF the parents are suffering and unable to talk about things you might offer to help by sharing information, but as nurses we can't determine which part of a family's private life we should or should not divuldge no matter how helpful we think it might be. SO if you share make sure you have permission to share and know what the parents want shared. There is a big difference between- "the parents are experiencing some marital problems right now" and "the dad is a drunk and a womanizer and the marriage is over" But be ever so careful about HIPPA as I believe your colleague has violated it and has put her carreer at risk.

Tell the parents that the teacher is concerned, and ask if you can give her a few more details. Otherwise I think whatever your coworker has divulged is plenty, plus you said the child is able to communicate somewhat.

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