Student nurse violates confidentiality on floor

Trauma Columnist · Jul 17, 2010

Touchy subject. Violating HIPAA is one way to lose your job and am not sure of the ramifications in nursing school but would imagine one could get expelled.

iNurseUK, RN · Jul 17, 2010

Tell your colleague that you thought it was inappropriate Upfront and honest.

Nothing else.

gymmom125 · Jul 17, 2010

Nursing school is a very stressful time for all, She really may not of realized how much of a breach this is.. and she very well could get kicked out of the program for this... If there wasnt "bad blood" between you already i wouldn tell you to say something to her. But im sure if you noticed someone else will eventually so I would probably just leave it be.. I would worry about my own studies and be proud of yourself that you are doing what is right! Good luck with the rest of school~ its is such a relief when you are finally done!!! Oh and by the way I was also thought of as a know it all at times so i really do understand how you feel!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

I agree with the above. Also agree it was right not to confront the person then and there. Talk to the student in private and let them know that you're concerned for them and that if they get caught saying stuff like that they could get kicked out. Then let it go. Hopefully it will be a learning experience for the person.

Goodyear · Jul 17, 2010

You might discuss it with her, and/or an instructor you trust to handle it graciously. It would be a good opportunity for an instructor (BEFORE y'all are nurses) to reiterate the importance of confidentiality and HIPAA to your class. We had a student get kicked out of the program for talking about a pt (no names, etc) at the hair salon and the person in another chair happened to over hear and was related to said person. There was enough info discussed that the family member knew who the pt was and reported the student to the director of the program. She got the boot the next day. This stuff really needs to be taken seriously, and I totally get what you're struggling with as far as being a student, but if it were a family member of yours and she disclosed info to a curious stranger, it'd be upsetting. You aren't in school to make friends, and now is a good time to start advocating. Good luck--sounds like you're on a good track!

AZO49008 · Jul 17, 2010

If you already pointed something out to her and she threw you attitude, I wouldn't say anything to her about this. I wouldn't go running to the instructor either. I would say nothing, and realize that eventually she's going to screw up again and suffer the consequences. It always happens to the holier-than-thou types.

I had a couple classmates bring things to my attention in nursing school and I am glad that they did. Rather than getting defensive, I welcomed their observations and felt like they "had my back" so to speak.

I say let her twist in the wind.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

What iNurseUK said.

When I was in school, I found it best to just let others dig their own holes.

Remember, unless really a dangerous observation, yours is not to be a babysitter for anyone else but yourself.

caliotter3 · Jul 17, 2010

I would either bring it to her attention out of concern for a fellow student, or let it go, because you don't care to deal with her "attitude".

happy2learn · Jul 17, 2010

Was this her first HIPAA offense? I guess what I'm saying, was the first thing you called her out on HIPAA related? If so, then I would go to the instructor. If not, I would say something to her. If she gets po'd then oh well. Her loss. She needs to understand the importance of the situation and she should be grateful that you told her instead of the instructor.

If she gets snappy I'd just say, "You're welcome." lol.

Orange Tree · Jul 17, 2010

I am also a student nurse and was caring for a pedi pt that had a appendectomy. I was ambulating him down the hall, taking it slow. My fellow student was about 10 ft behind me, walking with my pt's mother. Earlier in the day, the mother had asked me what was wrong with the baby next door b/c it had been crying all night long. I said I dont know but I know that when babies are in an unfamiliar surrounding, they are not easily comforted. Maybe we can get a fan in to make white noise to drowned out some of the crying. I didnt reveal anything that was wrong with the pt or even if it was m or f. My comrade on the other hand told her that she thought she was sick with a stomach flu and pretty cranky but they are from ***** and she knew them. She said she thinks they are going home today.
I know I should have said something right then and there, but it is hard as a student to already put up with everyone thinking you are a perfectionist or a know it all. I didnt want to embarrasse the mother in front of her child. I still have the ablitity to do something b/c this just happened this week and we have not had classes yet.
:confused:What should I do? Tell the student something or tell the instructor. This student and I already have a bit of bad blood b/c I have called her on something before (privately but she ended up telling her groupies).

I would leave any teaching to the instructor and stay out of it unless the "bad" behavior was truly outrageous. If I did decide that it was my place to correct the other student or inform the instructor, I would also make very sure that my own practice/behavior was perfect. And I try very hard, but I'm pretty sure that I am not perfect. :uhoh3:

sharpeimom · Jul 17, 2010

maybe she thought if she didn't mention names, locations etc. that it wasn't a hipaa violation.

may i present a story from the patient's point of view? my mom was an attorney who travelled frequently. she felt terribly ill on one trip and finally ended up in the er. after many many tests, she was finally diagnosed with what was then a rare brand new disease: legionnaires disease. she was started on abx but still felt terrible three months later.

her internist ordered more tests and started her on another course of pred. small improvement but her left lung was damaged. she was off and on pred for the rest of her life. many different abx and much pred.

she was in the hardware store when she overheard a familiar voice. it was a nurses aide from one of my mom's hospitalizations. the aide had a part time job there and was saying to another shopper, "if i ever get leigonnaires disease, have to take cortisone, and blow up like a toad, just shoot me before the first pill.":eek: she then went to to share several medical details from my mom's chart that she should never have been privvy to. the capper?? her friend responded, "you must be talking about___ ___.

whereupon the aide/hardware store clerk answered, "it isn't a hipaa violation because i didn't mention her name. she can't sue me, even if she is an attorney, because i never mentioned her name."

she didn't get sued, but she did get a quick lesson on what hipaa is and is not.