Nosey nurse

kakamegamama · Jan 20, 2014

Then, why didn't you report it? It sounds like a violation...or, a bored RN trying to find something to write about on AN.........

chevyv, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2014

That nurse is in violation and could face termination. She has no right to be in the chart unless she has contact and needs information regarding the pt.

Caleb_RN225 · Jan 21, 2014

Then why didn't you report it? It sounds like a violation...or, a bored RN trying to find something to write about on AN.........[/quote'] I did report it

BrandonLPN, LPN · Jan 21, 2014

Her visit to this patient's chart is forever imprinted on thr EMR. She's toast.

ArtClassRN, ADN, RN · Jan 21, 2014

I saw a nurse being nosey by looking in another patients file who was in another unit. Then they pick the phone up & gossip about the patients health.

Unbelievable. This is basically "Don't do this 101" education for every freaking employee.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 21, 2014

Playing devil's advocate for a minute...

Hw do you know this nurse wasn't authorized to look in the chart? Could be that the patient has just left/is going to come to this nurse's care, or nurse is doing a utilization review and needed information.

As I wasn't there listening in with you, define what you meant by "gossip". Also, keep in mind that you only heard 50% of that phone call unless the nurse had the speakerphone on. You do not know who they were talking to or what the other person was saying.

Not saying you were wrong to report it: you were right to do so, IMO. It's far better to report a suspected HIPAA violation and let management determine whether it is one, than to not report something and find out later you should have.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 21, 2014

I saw a nurse being nosey by looking in another patients file who was in another unit. Then they pick the phone up & gossip about the patients health.

And? Is there a question in there somewhere?

Were you sure that the other patient in the other unit wasn't about to be transferred into that nurse's care? Or hadn't just been transferred OUT of her care? Are you positive it wasn't a nurse-to-nurse consultation? A nurse in the neuro ICU maybe called the CCU for advice on whether the labs were optimum for sheath removal, for example. A CVICU nurse called the neuro ICU for advice on a lumbar drain?

I'm guessing you only heard one side of the conversation. Is it possible that the "nosey nurse" was looking at her mother's chart, which she has every right to see because she's the POA, and asking for an update from her mother's nurse?

ToughCookieRN · Jan 22, 2014

Even those with POA can't look in a chart. It's not different from me looking at my minor child's chart without a release. It's kinda silly with that regard, I fill out a request granting myself access. Release Forms must be filled out and then the requested record can be disseminated. I only reply to this post because just today I was caring for the 'relative' of an employee. I has discharged my pt. to the care of her spouse and found her chart locked by her 'relative' viewing it from her workstation. Breadcrumbs will catch her if anyone is looking.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jan 22, 2014

We can't even look up our own--say--test results. It is against the policy of our company. Even POA's have to go through the correct channels to obtain information. Could be a conflict of interest.

There may be a complete backstory to the OP, never the less, unless there was a report going on, this could mean toast for not only the nurse doing the looking, but the nurse doing the receiving. Even if by "gossip" they were relieved that a shared patient was doing better.

And to the pp, you need to be sure YOU report this as well. That you happend upon this and do not report it could get you in hot water as well...

pookyp, LPN · Jan 22, 2014

I'm pretty sure the OP knows the difference between gossip and getting/giving report from another NURSE. Different jargon perhaps. 50% of listening to a conversation or not I can tell gossip.

Glad you reported it OP.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jan 22, 2014

Even those with POA can't look in a chart. It's not different from me looking at my minor child's chart without a release. It's kinda silly with that regard, I fill out a request granting myself access. Release Forms must be filled out and then the requested record can be disseminated. I only reply to this post because just today I was caring for the 'relative' of an employee. I has discharged my pt. to the care of her spouse and found her chart locked by her 'relative' viewing it from her workstation. Breadcrumbs will catch her if anyone is looking.

According to our hospital's policy, you CAN look in the chart if you are a POA. I don't know what particular hoops you need to jump through to be granted access since I haven't needed to look.