NP's: do you give some patients your cell number?

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So in preparing for my exam I'm listening to Hollier's review CD's. She mentions in one scenario that she would give a patient her cell number if here are concerns after hours.

I'm a home health nurse and do sometimes give my personal number to those "special" patients who I know are most comfortable with me and won't abuse it.

Just curious if as an NP yall have done this.

Specializes in CTICU.

I'm thinking about changing my cell number so my colleagues don't have it, unless work wants to provide me with a work phone. Seriously. People text, call or email me just about every day off. I have to put the phone on "do not disturb" mode at night now to avoid 7am texts waking my husband and I.

It's difficult because a lot of the daily communication between NPs, fellows and attendings is via text message, but it means I am never really "off". Yesterday my attending called my call on Sunday night (day off) because he was back in town after holidays and wanted to know what has been going on with the patients. I had to say "I'll be there at 7am tomorrow, let's talk then".

About to go out on maternity leave, can't wait to see how long it takes for the contact to die down.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

The other issue involves HIPAA as texts (unless encrypted) are PHI so therefore discussing pts via text isn't allowed.

Perfect Serve has encrypted texting and also it is possible to retrieve these texts for medico-legal defense.

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I have only given one patient my cellphone number months and months ago and she has never called. Thankfully. But, I know she would not abuse it and would only call, if there was an absolute need.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
The other issue involves HIPAA as texts (unless encrypted) are PHI so therefore discussing pts via text isn't allowed.

Perfect Serve has encrypted texting and also it is possible to retrieve these texts for medico-legal defense.

I don't text with patients but if they are aware of the implications and are participating in the text process is that really a HIPAA violation? I've had patients accost me in WalMart who want to discuss their case and although I nip that in the bud I felt it was in their control not mine if they wanted to discuss confidential things in a public place.

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No.

As I rarely use my cellphone, the last thing I want is patients calling.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Day 1 of maternity leave... 8 texts so far starting at 8am....

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

@ghilbert - congrats. Turn off your phone! lol

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