HIPAA-Protection of Patient Privacy
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What is HIPAA?
HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The federal law originated in 1996 and protects the privacy of a patient's personal and health information. The purpose of HIPAA is to keep medical records and other individually identifiable health information completely private. HIPAA gives patients increased control over their health information.
You've probably signed plenty of HIPAA forms. HIPAA is very important to health care providers of all specialties because patient privacy is a top priority. Doctors, dentists, optometrists, and other healthcare providers are required under HIPAA to provide each patient with a Notice of Privacy Practices at the time of their first visit. Patients must provide a signature, agreeing that they have received a copy of the HIPAA privacy practices. A signature is only required once, no matter how many times you visit the provider.
What information does HIPAA protect?
Information protected by HIPAA includes anything oral or recorded in any form or medium. All information, whether in the past, present, or future, is safeguarded. Physical and psychological health conditions, provisions of care, and payment information are all protected. Examples of protected health information:
- Patient's name, address, birthdate, age, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses
- Medical records, diagnoses, lab work and test results, medical images, and prescriptions
- Billing records, claim data, referral authorizations, and explanations of benefits
- Electronic records, paper records, and oral communications
Healthcare providers are obligated to carefully manage and protect patients' personal information. Healthcare providers are allowed to use patient information for treatment of the patient, payment of bills, and healthcare operations, such as audits, quality improvement, teaching, and government reporting.
Access to healthcare information by healthcare providers is based on "need to know" and "minimum necessary" principles. Healthcare workers should only access information if it is necessary for providing the best patient care. When information is accessed, only the minimum amount of data necessary should be retrieved. Information can be communicated between healthcare providers, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and lab technicians, as long as they are involved in the patient's care. Information may also be communicated to family and friends of the patient if they are involved in the patient's care, unless a patient has objected to sharing personal information. Parents, guardians, and medical powers of attorney can be spoken with as if they are the patient.
What are the rules about disclosing personal information?
Under HIPAA, personal healthcare information can be released to law enforcement without patient permission under certain circumstances. These include:
- Court orders and subpoenas
- Identifying suspects, witnesses, or missing persons
- Reporting about victims of crime, neglect, or abuse
For any other uses, an authorization form must be signed by the patient prior to the release of information. There is special protection for:
- Psychotherapy notes
- Drug and alcohol abuse treatment records
- Research records
- Communicable disease information
- HIV/AIDS status
- Genetic testing
- Evaluation and treatment of mental health disorders
Mental illness medical records have additional safeguards under the law and are treated differently from other types of medical records. Patients being evaluated and treated for mental health problems have the option to be excluded from the facility directory. The facility directory is like a roster of all the facility's patients. HIPAA allows patients with mental health disorders or substance abuse problems to be treated and or admitted under complete confidentiality. Victims of violent crimes and abuse are also excluded from the facility directory, giving them complete anonymity.
HIPAA requires health care workers to protect patient privacy. Employees who do not comply can face disciplinary action. Privacy violations can occur in many different ways. A nurse and physician discussing patient information in a crowded elevator is a verbal violation of patient privacy. Faxing personal health information to the wrong number is another example of a privacy breach. Criminal penalties for wrongful disclosure can be as high as $250,000 and up to 10 years in prison. Healthcare workers are educated regularly on HIPAA guidelines.
In a world where identity theft is unfortunately common, access to patient information must be highly restricted. HIPAA prioritizes patient privacy. So the next time you're signing pages upon pages of forms at the doctor's office, remember that HIPAA is very important because it protects your irreplaceable personal information.
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HIPAA can be confusing and frustrating, but it's important because it protects your personal information. You should only have to sign the form once though, so it sounds like there's something strange going on at your office. I'd look into that. Thanks again for reading!
Is it a HIPPA violation to have a sign in sheet with the patients first and last name on the sheet?
Stacey-I will look into this and let you know what I find out. It seems to me that this would be a violation, and most offices would be found guilty. Another thing I don't like is when the nurse or tech calls out your full name when it's your turn to come back. That also seems like a violation of privacy. Anyway, I'll do some digging and get back to you!
Stacey-This is what the American Medical Association says about your question:
May a physician use a sign-in sheet? Call out names in the waiting area? Place charts outside a patient's room while the patient is waiting to see the physician?
Yes. To the extent these activities result in other people learning a patient's name or other information, the disclosure would be considered "incidental" to the physician's treatment of the patient, and therefore acceptable under HIPAA.
Physicians should take appropriate precautions to limit the amount of information that might be incidentally disclosed in this manner. For example, physicians should not ask patients to list "reason for visit" on a sign-in sheet. With respect to placing charts outside of an examination room or the patient's hospital room while the patient is waiting to see the physician, the physician should take precautions such as turning the front of the chart towards the wall so others do not have the opportunity to read the front page while walking past the room.
Some offices use sticker labels that can be pulled off after you sign in, which is much better than leaving a sign in sheet out on the desk in my opinion. If you feel your privacy has been violated in any way by a health care provider, the Office for Civil Rights can assist you at 1-800-368-1019. I hope this answers your question.
Is it a violation of Hipaa to call a patient by their last name in the waiting room. For example it I have to call in Denise Jones, should I say Denise or Mrs. Jones. I have a hard time calling older or elderly people by their first name. Does anyone know if this is a Hipaa violation?
Hi Jenn- Calling a patient by their name in the waiting room falls under the "incidental disclosure" rule highlighted in the previous comment. It seems wrong to call out a person's full name, but according to HIPAA, it is acceptable. Of course, there's nothing wrong with using only the first or last name when calling patients from the waiting room. In fact, I think it's much less revealing to call the person's first name only. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the informative hub. Love your dog avatar! He (or she) looks like a sweetie!
Thanks for reading Peggy. He is a sweetie but a rascal sometimes too!
A friend of ours recently got divorced and is having problems with her medical clinic she takes the children to. She is custodial parent but when test are done and results come in they call her husband instead of her. She tells them they are suppose to call her because she is the custodial parent and she is the one that has taken the kids to see the doctor. They say to her he pays the bills. There is so much more that goes on because of what this clinic is doing it cases stress between her and her husband. This to me doesn't seem to be within Hipaa rules.
Good hub.
Moonlake-sounds like a complicated situation for sure. Is going to a different clinic an option? Maybe starting fresh some place new would help. If the kids are on his insurance, I don't know if there will be any way around this. I'll see what I can dig up and post a comment when I find some helpful info for you. Thanks for reading.
I work as a nurse in the ER of a local community hospital. In my spare time I like to blog. Sometimes an event from work strikes a thought that I would like to write about. Am I aloud to talk about procedures and diagnosis if I exclude the patients name? I have been looking around but can get no clear answer. Thanks!
zr-I will look into this. My gut tells me that it's okay to use scenarios from work as long as you don't include any information that identifies or could help in identifying the patient. I'll find out for sure and let you know. Thanks for reading!
I have an unusual Dutch first name and a simple last name. It is unbelievable how often a medical person will slaughter my first name in front of a waiting room full of people - and then ask, "did I pronounce that right?" I always point out that had they just used my last name, it would have been much easier to pronounce. It happend 3 times last week between lab, xray and office visit. Last names should be used whenever possible (since it is not against HIPAA regs) if only to show respect - and unless the last name is more difficult to pronounce than the first name. Just use common sense.
Dutchgal-thanks for reading. I'm sure you get tired of hearing your name pronounced incorrectly. I agree that common sense is key, no matter which name (first or last) is used.
Is it against the law for heathcare workers like certified nursing assistants that is working in a nursing home to know if their resident have any diagnosis like HIV or hep A, B, or C even though they work one on one with them?
Sandra-As far as I know, disclosure of HIV status to a CNA is against the law. I know it sounds wrong. The RN taking care of the patient, on the other hand, does have a right to know because she/he is the primary care provider. Anyone who has the right to look through the patient's chart can know about HIV status. My advice to you is to ALWAYS use Universal precautions, no matter what! Protect yourself as best you can. I hope this helps.
A nurse repeatedly gave my mother her blood test results in the doctor's waiting room which was full of people. When my mother complained about her privacy the nurse said all she had to do was request that her test results where given in private. Doesn't medical privacy laws already cover this? Does a patient really need to ASK for the law to be followed?
Is it against HIPAA policy for me to have my doctor's office fax my records to another doctor's office?
A company that I work for wants to email me patient information. Is this a violation of HIPAA rules?
KerryClem- No, faxing between doctors' offices is not a HIPAA violation. You may have to fill out a form giving your permission though.
WendyM and Diane, I am looking into your questions and will answer back soon!
We send out letters regarding payment delinquncy, for example a letter to a patient that their account is 90 days past due. This letter does not contain personal health information other than the patients name. Recently a letter was sent that had Patient A's name at the top and in the salutation had another name. Is this a violation of Hippa?
I was in the hospital recently, friends were in the room at different times of the day to visit, the second day, they had found nothing wrong with me and postponed all tests till the third day (doing nothing all day except paying for a room at the hospital!)) One of my friends went out to enquire why and a "patient advocate" came in while friends were in the room and asked about my insurance, was I paying for the bill myself, and by the way your weight is not on the chart, what is it? My friends all had a fit and the "advocate" said oh here you can just write it down on this scrap of paper. Was this a HIPPA violation of privacy or just extreme unprofessionalism?
MimiD-unless there was information that could identify either person, I don't think this would be a HiPAA violation...sounds like an administrative slip.
WendyM-no, you should not have to ask for your information to be kept private. That's what HIPAA is all about. That nurse was wrong to read off test results in a waiting room where other patients could easily hear.
shawna, I know that HIPAA was designed to protect people but I have had so many bad experiences from it. I and my first wife divorced and my daughter had many medical things that she went through as did my son and I as the non-custodial parent could know nothing about it. She had so much control and I was never informed. Also my son. They were coached never to talk to me for so long. My daughter made very important decisions that she suddenly realized she didn't have to tell her mom about either. It has been abused and is not a fair at all anymore. It is a monstrosity.
I am in dental school and applying for a residency in pediatric dentistry. I'm working on my personal statement right now, and am wanting to include stories from the clinic and my experience as an assistant. Can I use first names only? Or do I have to change them? I'm talking about treatment performed in a few cases, so I'm guessing no names at all, but I thought I'd ask. Thanks for your time!
I would change the names just to be safe. Good luck!
Is using a patient's mother's last name in a report (with NO other identifying info. other than her last name) a HIPAA violation? There is no info. about the patient--no name, no age, no birthday, nothing...The patient and his mother have different last names.
By the way...I should add that this report is for the parent, but must first get approved by my supervisor and is created on my laptop.
Does your supervisor have a reason to know the parent's information, i.e. is your supervisor involved in the patient's care? If so, then as long as the only people that will see the report are the parent and your supervisor, I don't see why using the last name would be a problem. However, I would stay away from having a patient's personal information on your personal laptop. If your laptop is used only at work for work, then it's not a problem. Hope this helps!
Two sister hospitals share one application. There is one inbound interface where both hospitals send their ADT data. In the application, a nurse picks from a patient list to admit a patient to a specific bed. Is it a HIPAA violation by the application to allow nurses to see patients at the other facility?
I was wondering if a doctors billing service could write past due in the window with my address so that anyone looking at the bill will see it in the mail. I have had this happen three times now. Is this a violation of my rights and should I seek an attorney or what? To me it's harrassment but I think they shouldn't be allowed to do it. thanks
Is it a HIPAA violation to access your own medical records if you are also an employee?
When calling to confirm a patient's appointment, is it a HIPAA violation to leave a message telling them where you are calling from and what you are calling about.....example: Hi, we are calling for Nancy to confirm her appointment with us at _____ on _____. Any questions please call us _____. The reason I ask this is we are an imaging facility and call on patients that are not ours and have not signed any papers with us yet......
My father is on hospice and is at home with my sister living with him. We had a neighbor that we do not know come to visit my father becasue he knows the hospice nurse and she told him about my father and his health and also told him that we have too many people visiting my father all day. I know this is a huge privacy violation, what can I legally do about this? I also am a nurse and I am livid that this hospice nurse would share my father's personal health information. I am also very upset with the agency. What is my recourse in this matter. Should I contact an attorney?
I work at a dental office and we usually give the hippa form to patients and then they sign a form. What happens when a patient refuses to sign the form? Can we still refer the patient out and talk to different doctors inregards to this patient
I am also looking for the answer to the questions zr asked. What about writing anecdotal stories about patients on a blog as long as they don't include any identifying info?
my son's pediatrician has been talking about the medications he is on at the "football field at school and with his teacher...is this a violation of Hippa? what are my rights and what can we do to stop her
If you are writing a narrative story in English class about someone that changed your life and the story is about a patient. The instructor was complete detail about why he was there, what I done for him, and how it changed my thoughts on nursing. If I do not use his name is it okay? I wrote the whole story with no names, locations, or anything of the sort. Just his story and our experience.
we would like to thank our patients for their referrals by putting their first name and last initial as recognition in our newsletter. Is this a violation of HIPAA? Or sending out thank you cards to patients referring the patient by putting their first name and last initial on the cards. Is this a violation? Thanks!
Is it a HIPAA (breach of patient information) violation if I shared a story about a patient using a first name (her nickname, not her real first name) and only her age (not her dob, address, full name, medical condition)? I shared about how she impacted my life by reminding me how precious our life is. I shared the info on a social media site. I did not share anything other than how remarkable she is doing at her age.
Thank you for that comprehensive look at HIPAA, I personally learned a few things I did not know. From my area of expertise, there are a number of IT solutions and data protection solutions to cover the electronic side of medical records. IT firms can specialize in this type of service and the best will be independently audited to ensure compliance.
Good site and good info on HIPAA. Here is a link to useful FAQs on HIPAA from the Office of Civil Rights, the people who enforce HIPAA.
Are there any HIPA laws that state what the minimum requirements are for a dr's office to give a patient information over the phone? For instance our office asks for dob, address, last 4 ss#, and phone # to make sure we are speaking with correct person. This upsets some patients that we have to ask all of these questions.
I recently had to have my appendix removed.While hospitalized,I made it clear for my parents to know nothing about my drug use or substances in my system,or track marks.While still under anestesia,my surgeon went and revealed all the information I had just told him not to devulge.Is this a HIPAA violation?? If so,what can I do about it?
My doctor's nurse called me and left a message on the phone to increase my dosage of a prescription, I've been taking for one year. It is Coumadin and the dose she told me "continue taking" was fatal. I brought it to her attention and she denied every leaving such message. Now my doctor is refusing to do simple things such as filling out disability paperwork for me. I've been declared permanently disabled for 8 years. He feels that I'm not disabled [due in part to his nurses' personality clash with patients]. I have a degenerative spinal condition, asthma, arthritis, post traumatic stress, ADHD, migraines, 7 herniated discs, 3 cervical & 4 lumbar, and I have a lesion inside my spinal cord at C2 which has been monitored for the past five years. I am also a post operative spine patient with L4 L5 S1 discectomy from 1996. Should I seek legal counseling?
I use to work in an environment that gave direct care to individuals with developmental disabilities. How does HIPAA affect these individuals in this type of setting? I question this because if I am giving direct care to someone that has a contagious disease or anything of that nature then shouldn't I be made aware of this for my protection? PLease help.
The only problem with HIPAA and the nationalization of our electronic medical records is that we have all now lost our ability to ever get an unbiased second opinion ever again. All doctors now have instant online access to the medical notes from all doctors you have ever seen before across the nation. It is impossible to get an unbiased opinion anymore. Unfortunately, doctors are using this to cover up for one another as well.
I was hired as a consultant for an health care firm to do regression testing. I ws very surprised to find that the company was using real claims with real patient data including patient name and address. I notified my immediate reports that this was a hipaa violation. I also informed them that they could not print out these forms and leave thenm laying around the print station. In addition, they would trow printed claims in their trash and not shread them. Two days latter I received a call from the directtor that my project was discontinued and services no longer required. Am I wrong? are these not Hipaa violations? Should I report this firm? these test cases reside on the webbase HP Quality Center.
Brian-Yes, leaving patient information "laying around" for all to see is a violation. Throwing the papers in the trash is also a violation. Printed private information has to be shredded. Good for you-you stood up for people who don't even know their rights are being violated.
I have a patient who is NPO, and found nursing continues to provide food and fluids. I posted a sign communicating the pt may not have anything by mouth. The DON has requested it be removed as it is a HIPPA violation. Should I remove the signs?
Our chiropractor sent a mass email from his office with a lot of patients names and email addresses in the CC. not the BCC. Is this a HIPPA violation?
Is it against Hipaa Regulations to tell a patient what doctor is working in the office that day?
No, that isn't a violation if you ask me.
Shawna-Is this comment towards Pat or me?
Sorry Rachel, that comment was for Pat.
As far as emailing, the American Medical Association says that "Physicians may use any method of communication — including e-mail, oral conversations, written letters, or other methods (including sending facsimiles) — so long as the physician uses "reasonable and appropriate safeguards" to protect the communication."
Was there any private health information in the email or was it just names and email addresses? Obviously using BCC would have been the best in this situation. The chiropractor did not safeguard his patients' names and email addresses.
If there wasn't any private health information in the email about the individuals, then I'm inclined to say it isn't a violation. That doesn't mean it's okay. I wouldn't want my email sent out that way either. Hope this helps.
Thanks Shawna! It does help. We wouldn't have done anything about it, because we love our chiropractor! We were just wondering.
I have a question about doctors publishing medical records including lab work, disease history, mental disease history and actual quotes from a patient. Can a doctor publish all things I have just mentioned without permission from the patient? Does it constitute a Hipaa violation? If so can the patient (who by the way is furious and found an article about herself online by pure accident)file a lawsuit besides a complaint?
My company does billings for the health product we sell. Oftentimes the company being billed (not the person who received the product, and sometimes their employer) asks us for the initials of the person so that they can identify whose bill they are paying. We've never provided it as it seems like it is a HIPAA violation. But is it really? Thanks! Michael
If an employee states "Ms. Smith is looking well today" is that a HIPPA violation if it is said in the hospital but another person heard it? I don't know if that makes sense or not. If a person only uses the last name of the patient and does not give any other information out. Is that person in violation of HIPAA?
Is it illegal for a doctor who is going out of business to sell patient names and addresses? He is not selling his practice, just wants to sell the patient names and addresses.
Can a doctor sell his patient names and addresses?
He is going out of business, not selling his practice and wants to sell his patient names and addresses.
hi my name is chad im disabled with my disorders iv been on disability for over 20 years and taking medication all my life for these disabilities i have to live a normal live my girlfriend has a differant doctor in the same office as i do we both have aoda problem on top of that she went in to the hosiptal she told her doctor she was using cocaine when she left the hospital a week later i went to see my doctor to get my meds and for my monthly visit he asked me to give him a urine sample i asked him why he was asking me that and he said he heard in his office that i might be using drugs also. i found out later from him that my girlfriends doctor told him about why she was there for and about her test results to and showed me her results and made a desission on me. so i told him yea i used and he then took me of the med i have been taking for so many years to better my life and told me to find another doctor..and now i cant get one nd are in need of one all because of my girlfriends test results.. i think both doctors broke both my and my girlfriends confidentiality laws what do i do it is a matter of life and death without my meds and a doctor ..i need advice
Question #1: Is it a HIPAA violation to say a patient name and DOB out loud in front of people in a waiting area while I'm on the phone with a insurance company?
Question #2: Is it a HIPAA violation to ask for a patients ZIP code if the patient is sitting in the waiting area and is aprox about 15 feet away AND one other patient is present?
What are the HIPAA guidelines for a nursing-home saving resident's medical records on line? Where can I find the rules that guide privacy?
I work at an endoscopy center and everyday we call the patient's who are scheduled the next day to confirm their appointments. Is it against HIPPA to state in a message or to a friend/family member what doctor's office I'm calling from and what procedure is scheduled?
What is HIPPA rule for giving out information about a delusional person to their family member
Hi. My primary physician seemed not to believe I was seriously ill for awhile. Turns out I have fybromyalgia, spinal stenosis with nerve damage, hyperglycemia, anemia, hypothyroidism and other chronic conditions. I've been told I need spinal surgery, and probably a hysterectomy. About a year ago, he wrote a pretty nasty narrative, calling it "doctor's notes", described my symptoms as "dramatic", and used several psychiatric terms to label my behavior, which I believe only a psychiatrist is qualified to judge. He included personal information regarding money owed I "felt" was owed to me by my employer. It was - and I eventually received it. Since discovering my numerous conditions, he's been much nicer. I recently retired, applied for disability, and requested my medical records. This terrible narrative was included in my copy of my records, and I believe was sent to Disability. Can you advise?
I have been mandated to my employers EAP program based on perceptions of mental illness. It states that my supervisor is required to be at the meeting-- is having a third part who is also your direct supervisor a violation of HIPAA laws or the ADA? The sooner the response the better-- Thank you
I work in a dental office and a friend of a friend became a patient of ours. One time she had to cancel an appointment because she was sick and I called my friend to tell her about this and that maybe she could help her as she lives downstairs from the patient. Can I be sued for this for breaking the HIPPA rules?
If someone, say your mother signs a HIPAA (share form) and allows all 4 of her children access to her health information... is it always "good"? Does it only apply to an individual facility? Does it need to be signed yearly?
NVE
Not sure if this questions was already asked but, A co-worker of mine has outside friendships with a large majority of patients in our office, to the extent of having them over her house and partying with them. Also her husband is patient there does she violate hipaa in any way?
A girl that I was friends with works in a drs office and she recently shared with our circle of friends that a lady who is seen by a dr in her office has aids how would I report her for this she is the receptionist and shouldn't know this kind of information she even told us the patients name
We are a medical office in building with another medical office. We are separate offices but have a common waiting room and reception area. There is no glass in this area. Are we in HIPPA violation when our receptionist calls and refers patients for procedure or other physicians and they have to give out demographic info and medical info sometimes that can be heard in the wating area as well as by the other office receptionist. Also, she scans in medical records and sometimes leave them out on the desk. Thanks.
I filled out a medical release form to have my records transfered to my new OB's office. A few weeks later the old one called to tell me they did not have a release from me to transfer records and I needed to fill one out in order to get them sent. This means they lost my original release form with all my personal info, including social security number. Violation or not b/c I'm about to go nuts on them. Thanks.
I found out about a week ago that my information was link out verbely by a employee that works at the ob clinc that i go to and thee employee told a patient that gos there as well and that patient told a friend of mine and that friend told me and all the information was true i know that it is a HIPPA violation can i do something
about it and how can i go about???
does a nurse have the right to give lab results from you drug testing reults?
I went in for a diagnostic mammogram and after waiting what seemed like forever for results the nurse stood outside the room and called us by name gave our results. I was floored. Granted we were all there for mammograms but to tell us we were fine, had cysts, needed further pictures and so on was just beyond me. I felt like cattle being pushed though. There was no asking questions about MY status, what was seen, what they saw the first time. Is it not breaking HIPAA law to announce our results in front of a room full of people and walk off???
Thank your very much for your information on names in a waiting room. It was very helpful as my doctor has a section on his forms referring to just that topic!
is it illegal if I call the nursing home to see how my mother is doin.and they tell me that they cant give out that information because its against the hippa law. I, live 250 miles frome the nursing home. if its illegal can I file a complaint and what agency to I have to contact.
is it a hippaa violation if the office manager comes out in the waiting room and discusses your co pays and why the doctor will not treat me if I dont pay them before the procedure. The waiting room was filled with patients
if a boyfreind is being given info about a delusioanl pt and nurses not informing family contact about a serious decline and allowing neglect to continue is that a violation of hippa and civil rights?
hi shawna wilson my name is james and i went to see my doctor today on 11/15/2011 and well i was an hour late to my appointment well the dr came up front to get her next patient and well i asked if there was any news on my mri of my brain well she had said out loud in the lobby that there was a few things found on my results but she could not see me for 2 weeks just wanting to know of what she did was it illegal cause i think she broke all patient rights by saying it in front of other patients if anyone could help i would really appreciate it thanks
Is it legal for a 'Check-Out' receptionist at a Dr.'s Office to inform the patient that she needs a drug test, and ask the Office manager if she can perfom the test? This was extremely embarrassing. I was not given the opportunity to ask questions, it was not revealed to me in private. I asked the Office manager what I was signing my name to, she said to make sure I am not over doing my meds, and making sure I am not breaking the law, whatever that means. It was extremely uncomfortable to say the least.
I have to email Clinicians from 2 agencies with then names of patients we are going to cover in case conference so that not everyone needs to show up if their patient is not on the list.
I use the last name and first name initals only. Is this a violation of the HIPPA law. I say no, others say yes.
if a doctors tech is making a copy of the appointment book and calling patients from their home to confirm appointments...isn't that considered a breech in patient confidentiality and a hipaa violation?
dr required pt to sign forms and pt has no time to read. pt was told they would be given copies in envelope.. pt opened envelope when home and there no papers.suggestions?
Can I mail a reminder card (not in envelope) for WCC for child with their name obviously shown in the address area of the card?
Is it a HIPPA violation for a public school nurse to call and obtain information from Hospice regarding a parent of a student? And after receiving the information to share it with the staff and employees of the school.....
Is it a HIPAA violation for a public school nurse to call a Hospice provider for information regarding a student's parent and after receiving information to go ahead and share it with all the school employees, even the Janitor. This is just disgusting.
I have a relative that works for a drs office. She searches the computer everyday for other family members that go to the ER, why they are there, and what they are given, diagnoses and prescriptions. Then she tells other family members that private information. What can I do to make sure she doesn't do this to me?
In August 2011 I was drugged and raped. While receiving medical care at our local hospital a man I had only dated once found out this what had happened to me. He came up to the hospital demanding to see me and the turned him away because he did not have any of my personal information. I was told that he left in a rage. He went to his neighbors home knowing that she worked at the hospital and had her call to get my personal information including my last name and room number. He returned to the hospital with this information and was allowed to go through the security doors that lead to the room I was in. He frighten me and it was the beginning of a personal hell for over 4 months. Our government may have these laws in place yet I was not protected by them during a tramatic event in my life. How can this happen?
If your child broke their wrist and you discussed what the doctors told you with other parents if this illegal?
Not unless your child is over 18.
i would like to get an answer on a question that is bugging me...
i work at a hospital and i answer phones a person called and said she had a missed call from this number. i paged her name and said she was on line 5 and if you called her to please answer line 5 did i break a hippa rule?
RGraf 3 years ago
I understand why this law was enacted, but it frustrates me no end. I've signed form after form at various clinics to allow my husband to call and verify appointments. They keep saying that HIPAA prevents them from doing it until I sign a form - which I've done 10 times now and they are not filing it or something.
Thanks for another one of your informative hubs.