whistle blowing????

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

I work in an endoscopy unit in a internal medicine office. Today one of our phleb's had her mom in for a colonoscopy. We ended up finding a mass in her colon and the doctor is 100% sure its an adenocarcinoma. But we were really discreet about it since we didn't want the news all over the office so we just moved her into the corner room and filled out the d/c paperwork like normal. So the doc goes out and tells his CMA that she needs to call a surgeon for consult. Well this CMA took it upon herself to spread the news that this phleb's mom had cancer and in about 20 minutes, the entire office knew BEFORE SHE DID. When the doc went to talk to the pt and her family, everyone was coming up to her and giving her hugs and crying and she had no idea what was going on. The doc came back and was like "how does everyone know about this???" and I said who initiated it... he said he would take care of it, but now the lady and her mom are really ate up about it and think that the gossip started in the unit with us... I don't want to be the tattle tale or whatever, but I would really love to point the finger at who the motor mouth is because I think she reallllly overstepped her bounds and violated HIPAA big time.... What do I do?????? :trout:

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

First, you discuss it with your supervisor. Tell him/her how you feel and let them know (politel and professionally -- not in a threatening way) that you will not take the blame for this incident. Ask them to address it with the family so that the family knows who did NOT gosspip about them. Give your supervisor a chance to do the right thing before you go "whistle blowing" and cause more distress than there already is.

If your supervisor does not address the situation adequately, go up the chain of command as appropriate.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.
First, you discuss it with your supervisor. Tell him/her how you feel and let them know (politel and professionally -- not in a threatening way) that you will not take the blame for this incident. Ask them to address it with the family so that the family knows who did NOT gosspip about them. Give your supervisor a chance to do the right thing before you go "whistle blowing" and cause more distress than there already is.

If your supervisor does not address the situation adequately, go up the chain of command as appropriate.

my supervisor is this physician.... and i dont think he will do anything about this MA that puts him at risk of losing her... i am just so sick over this whole thing, i am really upset with what she did and i know its going to get brushed under the rug... but i dont feel its my place to tell the phleb who it was...i just want her to know it wasnt me or the nurses in the endoscopy unit.

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Specializes in icu/er.

if i was the patient i'd be alittle more concerned about any expectant tx's and prognosis concerning the main issue at hand, carcinoma. they had better forget all that directional anger and refocus their attention to the cancer. worry about all that other stuff later. but thats just me...

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Specializes in icu/er.

i think your intentions are good and worthy, but think about this before you open yourself up to possissibly alot of ridicule from some people. i'd would probably step back for a minute and see if the system will correct itself before i spill the beans. believe me it wont matter if you only inform the supervisor or just the ceo, it will always get out who told who. good luck..

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I think it is a shame that this CMA went and told this patient's business, because the woman may not have wanted to tell her children just yet, and she didn't have a chance to soak in the information for herself. I remember when my mother was diagnosed with cancer, she didn't wish to speak about it to anyone, and did not want well wishers knocking down her door.

I remember one of my best friends who is a nurse had a pregnancy test done at her hospital that came out to be positive. She was debating on whether she should have the baby or not and one of the employees told her mother. Her mother was so upset that her daughter didn't tell her first that she didn't speak to her for the rest of the pregnancy. And, would never tell my friend to this day, who told her, and now the baby is 12 years old.

Personally, I think the doctor would be losing more if he keeps this CMA than if he followed through the chain of command had had her reprimanded, to say the least.

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HIPPA HIPPA HIPPA. This is the scenario you see as an orientation example that is so over the top that the "crowd" laughs thinking what idiot would do this??

I'm not about tattle telling but this is noteworthy! There is a hotline where "the powers at be" can be notified of HIPPA violations. You don't have to leave your name, etc and they must investigate every complaint. Give the details, specifics, etc. Since everyone in the office knows about the incident, no one would know "you" initiated this!

This is the CMA's fault, not yours! I feel bad for the family. I'm sure their anger about this is misdirected to just keep their mind off of the dx at hand!

GL and keep us informed on your decision!

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Specializes in LTC, office.

I am assuming you work in a pretty small office. I work at a clinic and have a coordinator/nurse manager who I would approach in this situation. I work for a physician, but I also have a nursing supervisor.

I would certainly report this to my manager.

I am imagining myself or my family member being diagnosed with cancer or some other serious condition at my clinic. I would be incredibly upset if this information was not kept confidential. It is my right within HIPAA guidelines and would rob me of telling whom I wish and not telling those I don't wish to know.

I hope you pursue this.

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