Schwartz Rounds? One big HIPPA violation??

[Manatee111]

I'm a new grad. & I've been at my job for about 4 months now. I recently went to a session of Schwartz Rounds that was discussing dealing with the addictive patient. The session ended up being about just one patient. The session used his name, a discription of the patient including what his proffesion was. 25 people in the room spoke about there experiences with this patient and how they felt used and manipulated by him. He is a "frequent flyer" who apparently has also made 3-5 years worth of visits at other area hospitals. My questions is: this seems very much like one giant HIPPA violation to me. What if someone in the room knew this patient personally or something. Any thoughts?

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Did they use a fictional name? Was everyone present part of his care team? Did the patient consent?

[Manatee111]

They used the patient's true/real name. Everyone at the session was a member of the care team although not every person there had cared for the patient. There were actually nursing students from a local college in attendance. I don't think based on the information that this patient would have consented to the discussion. He was caught doing something that would have caused him self harm, signed out AMA and never returned to the hospital.

[Sue Damones]

I went to the schwartz rounds at my hospital too... maybe we're at the same place... where do you work?

[Manatee111]

I went to the schwartz rounds at my hospital too... maybe we're at the same place... where do you work?

Sorry, I won't reveal that.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Not sure, but it doesn't sound like a HIPPA violation to me. It sounds like a team meeting that can also be used as a learning session. Charts are used for other things than documentation, they are used for statistics, learning purposes and many other reasons.

[TiredMD]

It's not a violation for a couple reasons:

1) Based on your description, everyone there was involved in the case either professionally or academically.

2) Everyone there was adequately HIPPA trained

3) It was a closed session where passers-by or the public could not get easy access to the information

In medical education, sessions like this are quite common. Cases are presented at M&M, teaching rounds, academic conferences. This is a legitimate use of the information, and HIPPA does not apply.

[Hilinenursegrl]

I'm a new grad. & I've been at my job for about 4 months now. I recently went to a session of Schwartz Rounds that was discussing dealing with the addictive patient. The session ended up being about just one patient. The session used his name, a discription of the patient including what his proffesion was. 25 people in the room spoke about there experiences with this patient and how they felt used and manipulated by him. He is a "frequent flyer" who apparently has also made 3-5 years worth of visits at other area hospitals. My questions is: this seems very much like one giant HIPPA violation to me. What if someone in the room knew this patient personally or something. Any thoughts?

The Schwartz Center Rounds were created to provide a multidisciplinary forum where clinical caregivers have the opportunity to discuss their experiences, thoughts and feelings. The Rounds, which differ from medical or ethics rounds, offer caregivers a safe, open and relaxed place where they can share their concerns and fears, both for their patients and themselves. The premise is that caregivers are better able to make a personal connection with patients when they have greater awareness of and insight into their own responses and feelings. The Rounds provide a scheduled time and place where caregivers focus on the social, emotional and personal aspects of patient care.....Sounds legit to me.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

We have them at our hospital too. No I don't think it is a HIPAA violation. This is a way to learn. Same with M&M confrences the docs have.