I'm working in the lab of a large hospital while waiting to start the nursing program at my local community college this fall.
I was on phlebotomy tonight and before one of my draws the patient's RN pulled me aside outside the room (in the hall) and told me to "be careful because she's HIV positive." Another phlebotomist related that the RN had also advised him of the patient's HIV status before he drew the patient earlier in the evening.
As a phlebotomist, you'd have to be point-blank stupid not to approach every draw as if the patient had a blood-borne pathogen. That's why we have things called personal protective equipment and universal precautions. A patient's HIV status is and should be irrelevant when it comes to drawing blood since you should be taking the same degree of precaution with every draw that you do.
I believe that the RN needlessly compromised the patient's right to confidentiality, especially with such a highly confidential diagnosis. In addition to what seems to be to be a serious breach of ethics on the part of the RN, it also sounds like a big, glaring HIPPA violation.
I'm not even in RN school yet and it's setting off alarms with me. Am I off base in my assessment of the situation? I'm seriously considering reporting it to our compliance officer, my motivation not being to "nail" the RN, but rather to take advantage of the situation as a teaching opportunity for the RN, and also advocate for the patient who probably has no idea that her confidentiality was breached.
Any thoughts from you seasoned professionals would be most appreciated!
One thing I am curious about; if you are caring for a patient and a nurse collague came and discretely informed you of their HIV or any other status not documented, then, would you feel that you should report her?
Yes. Let me ask you a question? If someone robs a bank to pay for their son's operation that would save his life, would you report them?
I mean... after they did it. Would you report them. You agree it isn't the right thing to do. Which leaves you to report or not. Not reporting is not really the right thing to do. What do you do? To me it's pretty easy. I'd report him. Seems cold and heartless and if I think about it, it IS cold and heartless. But it's the right thing to do... Shrug.
StanleyRN2B I really hope you lighten up on people and even on yourself. No one is perfect and acting like anyone should be is a waste of time, imo. We all make mistakes. I and probably many others, maybe even YOU, wouldn't have even gotten through nursing school if we weren't given a chance to work through our mistakes and try again. I think your ideals are really nice but when you have been in the real nursing world for a while I would bet that even you come to value the trust and good will of your team mates. I can only hope that you are willing to confront them before running to the admin when they make mistakes. Then again I speed sometimes so according to you I'm just a common criminal that probably doesn't deserve to be a nurse. Although I have to say I almost enjoy your criminal accusations more than I did being called a petulent child in the grocery store in one of your other posts in this thread, lol. Can you see how you sound?
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I mean... after they did it. Would you report them. You agree it isn't the right thing to do. Which leaves you to report or not. Not reporting is not really the right thing to do. What do you do?
After the fact? Done already? Under those circumstances, probably not, unless injury was done to someone else present at the bank at the time.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I mean... after they did it. Would you report them. You agree it isn't the right thing to do. Which leaves you to report or not. Not reporting is not really the right thing to do. What do you do? To me it's pretty easy. I'd report him. Seems cold and heartless and if I think about it, it IS cold and heartless. But it's the right thing to do... Shrug.
Right to you, sure. Things are black and white to you. No one here will change that. But, others are seeing more than just the law, which is not always for the protection of all parties involved.
I mean... after they did it. Would you report them. You agree it isn't the right thing to do. Which leaves you to report or not. Not reporting is not really the right thing to do. What do you do? To me it's pretty easy. I'd report him. Seems cold and heartless and if I think about it, it IS cold and heartless. But it's the right thing to do... Shrug.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Here is a better question:
Would you convict him if you were on the jury?
I wouldn't. Seeing the circumstances and the love a parent would have for a child, I can see. Makes me think of the Denzel Washington movie "John Q". He did NOT want to witness his child die, and was willing to kill himself rather than witness the demise of his son helplessly. He went through the proper channels, he was a blue collar worker who paid taxes and did not receive help for his child. Sure, this was a fictitious character, but how many people did feel this way in every day life?
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
StanleyRN2B I really hope you lighten up on people and even on yourself. No one is perfect and acting like anyone should be is a waste of time, imo. We all make mistakes. I and probably many others, maybe even YOU, wouldn't have even gotten through nursing school if we weren't given a chance to work through our mistakes and try again. I think your ideals are really nice but when you have been in the real nursing world for a while I would bet that even you come to value the trust and good will of your team mates. I can only hope that you are willing to confront them before running to the admin when they make mistakes. Then again I speed sometimes so according to you I'm just a common criminal that probably doesn't deserve to be a nurse. Although I have to say I almost enjoy your criminal accusations more than I did being called a petulent child in the grocery store in one of your other posts in this thread, lol. Can you see how you sound?
Actually, I do, as well. One of the things I appreciate is the nurses and ancillary staff I work with. We do instill trust in each other and try our very best to provide patient care with dignity as well as treat each other the way we wish to be treated.
Laws were created by man. Man is not perfect. Laws can be amended.
Not all people see things in black and white as Stanley does. I would think for being in the military, this black and white way of thinking is an asset. For nursing however, my grayness I believe makes me more compassionate and my belief in overall goodness for mankind supercedes some laws which I do not necessarily agree with.
I see things on a case-by-case basis not this blanket effect. But that is just me and everyone here is very different with their own opinions.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Laws were created by man. Man is not perfect. Laws can be amended.
Not all people see things in black and white as Stanley does. I would think for being in the military, this black and white way of thinking is an asset. For nursing however, my grayness I believe makes me more compassionate and my belief in overall goodness for mankind supercedes some laws which I do not necessarily agree with.
I see things on a case-by-case basis not this blanket effect. But that is just me and everyone here is very different with their own opinions.
Most definitely! I do not see much as black and white. This is why things are ammended, because at times, man sees the error of his rules when unique situations occur that were not considered when the original decision was made.
Again, what this thread has demonstrated is a lesson in learning regarding the inquiry of policies at my hospital should the situation occur (for self protection)and also, that people can be very staunch and unflexible in their positions. In circumstances like this, a well intentioned act may create lifelong enemies.
I do not see much as black and white. This is why things are ammended, because at times, man sees the error of his rules when unique situations occur that were not considered when the original decision was made.
Atheos
2,098 Posts
Yes. Let me ask you a question? If someone robs a bank to pay for their son's operation that would save his life, would you report them?