Not Exactly HIPAA, But Worried I Said Too Much

[guest998179]

Recently some non-healthcare worker friends told me they feel as if there has been "a lot of irrational fear" about COVID. As someone who works in healthcare and has seen SO much death and sorrow from the virus, I responded, "Well, as someone who works in a hospital, I know that there has been a lot of death, that the fear is real, that it's been serious, and we've seen all across the country and world so much death from it." My friends know in which hospital I work, and while I didn't actually specify (and hope I didn't imply) that our hospital had a lot of C+ deaths, I wonder if what I said was somehow inappropriate. I mean, maybe they could have taken my statement about "someone who works in a hospital" to mean that I am privvy to more facts about the overall seriousness about the virus? Any thoughts? Thanks for reading.   

[MunoRN, RN]

Correcting someone spreading misinformation about a health issue, particularly a pandemic where that misinformation can cause people to make misinformed decisions that can result in harm or death, is not a violation of your professional practice standards as a nurse, it's actually the opposite of that.

[guest998179]

I appreciate that. I'm not a nurse, but I am someone with regular patient contact and so I sometimes look to you nurses for feedback regarding things like this. Thank you again. 

[JKL33]

Your statement was perfectly fine.

Speaking of irrational fear, health systems often over-generalize about HIPAA inappropriately. This leads to misunderstanding and unnecessary fear.

All is well.

[guest998179]

Thank you so much. I have my own (usually irrational) fears about HIPAA :). Thanks for your kind reply and reassurance! 

[K. Everly, BSN, RN]

I don't see how this was a violation even in the slightest. 

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Not even close. As far as I’m concerned you are free and clear. Don’t worry!

[guest998179]

Thank you for responding! I appreciate your input!