Nervous about HIPAA

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Okay. I am a paranoid person by nature, really very paranoid sometimes haha. I find myself sometimes wanting to say something vague about a patient that I've had experience with in clinicals over my two years. I'm afraid that I am going to violate HIPAA. Like for example lets say that I had a patient escape the floor 8 months ago or something. I'm afraid that if I say in passing to someone that "Once I had a patient escape the floor on me" that that would be considered a HIPAA violation and I would get thrown out of school.

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Specializes in LTC.

No what you described above is not a HIPAA violation. As long as you don't verbalize any information that can identify the pt. such as name, DOB, SSN, and etc. Most nurses and students have some kind of interesting story about a patient that we love to share and that is ok as long as the patient is not identified. Don't worry. I'm sure our HIPAA police will reply and weigh in as well. I think I hear the sirons... lol

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Specializes in Med surg, LTC, Administration.
No what you described above is not a HIPAA violation. As long as you don't verbalize any information that can identify the pt. such as name, DOB, SSN, and etc. Most nurses and students have some kind of interesting story about a patient that we love to share and that is ok as long as the patient is not identified. Don't worry. I'm sure our HIPAA police will reply and weigh in as well. I think I hear the sirons... lol

LOL!!!

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Specializes in CCU MICU Rapid Response.

If you are super worried about it, remember everything that you have been taught up until this moment. Talk only of a patient with people pertinent to their care. Never discuss patients in the elevator or in the cafeteria, because you never know exactly who you are standing next to. Always lock workstations, and never leave paperwork or charts open within viewing distance of anyone. Do not use room numbers, names, gender or identifying details when discussing a situation outside of the workplace. When in doubt, just keep mum. :) I hope this helps, Ivanna

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It is really hard to never talk about any situation with any patient as it is what we do all day and there are funny stories, sad stories and things we just want to share. I agree with the others who say never use any identifying information. What I do if I am vaguely talking about a patient is I change details...man to woman, old to young or young to old, change family members from daughter to sister etc.... This way it kind of becomes a composite story and is definitely not identifiable. I don't think there is anything wrong with saying you once looked after a patient who left the floor - that is pretty vague!

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Specializes in cardiology/oncology/MICU.
Okay. I am a paranoid person by nature, really very paranoid sometimes haha. I find myself sometimes wanting to say something vague about a patient that I've had experience with in clinicals over my two years. I'm afraid that I am going to violate HIPAA. Like for example lets say that I had a patient escape the floor 8 months ago or something. I'm afraid that if I say in passing to someone that "Once I had a patient escape the floor on me" that that would be considered a HIPAA violation and I would get thrown out of school.

Nursing school certainly made me paranoid! LOl but seriously as the others have said, just don't tell any of the identifiable info. I also would refrain from talking about patients while in the elevator or cafeteria, especially while in school. Once school is over, all of the fear and worry should disappear. :eek:

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Specializes in FNP.

good grief, why does everyone get so damn twisted about HIPAA? Just don't talk about your patients, take pictures of your patients or google them and you'll be good. I wasn't even tempted to do any of those things, even before HIPAA. Moral of the story, leave work at work, don't be a gossip.

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While not a violation, you can be walking a fine line. I've read about people violating HIPAA compliance by posting things on Facebook or Twitter about patients. The important thing to remember is to not post anything that someone could identify a person by - even if it's not a name or DOB, someone can identify a person by just a procedure and a location. Just be extra cautious and realize your company and your job are on the line.

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Okay. I am a paranoid person by nature, really very paranoid sometimes haha. I find myself sometimes wanting to say something vague about a patient that I've had experience with in clinicals over my two years. I'm afraid that I am going to violate HIPAA. Like for example lets say that I had a patient escape the floor 8 months ago or something. I'm afraid that if I say in passing to someone that "Once I had a patient escape the floor on me" that that would be considered a HIPAA violation and I would get thrown out of school.

That example is uncommon enough within a city to not talk about....Not many escapee patients roam the streets at any given time- and you never know who knows who, or whose neighbor's vet's hairdresser's garbage man may know the escapee...:D Keep it as vague as you can, and only discuss questionable things when you're with other folks who understand HIPAA- and were involved with the care. At home, talk about the garden or last night's lasagna :)

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