Sharing cardiac rhythm tracing without any evidence of pt identification...violation?

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Specializes in ICU.

So I wanted to send a picture to a coworker that was not at work, the picture would have been a cardiac rhythm strip with the top portion cut off and removed so that no info remained except the tracing itself. Several of us argued our points on if this would be a HIPPA violation. The picture did not get shared, although I can't see how this is a violation when it is not identifying to the patient in any way? Does anyone know the answer?

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

If there is absolutely nothing that would reveal the identity of the patient, I can't see how this is a HIPAA violation.

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Specializes in ER, Addictions, Geriatrics.

I would agree with psu. If you removed the portion with any identifying info, then it's not violating anyone's privacy

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Specializes in ER, Trauma ICU, CVICU.

I vote not a violation.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Oh for cripes sake ... most ER/EMS/cardiology folks I know (myself included) have a personal collection of strips.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

It is not a violation as long as there is no identifying information such as a name, room number, or patient ID number. (BTW- HIPPA is a female hippo, HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).

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Of course not. I strongly recommend you find the stickie here on what constitutes personal health information, and print it out for your ignorant "friends" who apparently slept through that class or inservice. Note, although it was first posted in 2012, it has been updated.

https://allnurses.com/hipaa-nursing-challenges/answer-hipaa-violation-693686.html

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