What are your thoughts on confidential patient information ? Can a worker get fired over this ? Vote. Comment.

Hippa is in place for a reason and u can get fired over gossiping about others info.

Can they get fired? Yes. Should they get fired? Almost always, yes.

If it’s genuinely “gossip” as you call it, that’s really bad. If it’s one nurse or CNA asking another staff member for advise, that’s not a breach.

I’m married to a regional RN. If she ever talks about what she’s doing, there’s NEVER a patient name (not even first) and not even the building the case was in (as she manages a few). It’s both a rule and common sense.

I’ve even received medical faxes at work which have been sent in error to the wrong fax number. I call the facility and tell them they’ve got the wrong fax number and immediately shred the fax. It’s just common courtesy.

It should be protected.

Yet perhaps it can be shared with insurance companies and pharmacies. But that is it.

I even had to give permission for my doc to answer my dad's questions when I was in the hospital and my mind and memory too foggy to remember the details.

@Umile 🤔before i retired i worked in an operating theatre in an hospital in the united kingdom and was bound by patient confidentiality . that was fair enough you respect patients reason too be in hospital is not for general discussion outside the working enviroment. i had the attitude of who or what i saw in my daily work cycle stayed at work

Union rep here.

Uh, yes. No question. This varies by jurisdiction but I'm unaware of any which would permit this.

HIPPAA is a federal law and violation of that can carry repercussions. that being said, it sure went to the extreme. i handle my brothers HSA account and i go through hell paying his bills.

Whomever leaked the information needs to get fired on the spot and the clinic may be liable.

My partner works in the field and she takes it SUPER seriously. I think most all do who are around medical records. It's part of the job and it's very black and white.

My job is not in the medical field, but involves some medical oversight. I've had to point out the relevant law to people who don't understand the HIPAA exemptions. That being said, we have to be careful to not include HIPAA protected information in reports, just "serious health condition." None of us are qualified to diagnose anyone anyway; we just take the doctor's word for it.