Anyone else? HIPAA

[Tprspouse]

Been updated on the HIPAA rules that are now VERY strict and in effect everywhere?

Privacy rights? Does it affect you in your job? We're talking JAIL TIME in some cases if you violate these new rules/laws.!

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

In my job, I can't leave ANY chart with a name on it facing out. I have to remove the name off of the medication bottles before I throw it in the trash. Nothing can be laying around with anyone's name on it. I can't even give any information to a family member over the phone even if I know it's them.

For example, a resident's family member called last week wanting his phone number to his room. I knew it was his family member and I knew the number. I had to kindly ask that he contact another family member to get it. Because...if that had been someone collecting phone numbers to sell them for solicitation, I could be thrown in the slammer for violating HIPAA regulations on privacy.

Do you think this might affect the internet? Will this get rid of the Lycos maps where you can find someone's residence? Telephone numbers? SPAM? Privacy is privacy, right?

[ 05-18-2003, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: Tprspouse ]

[Tprspouse]

Our telephone and address showed up on lycos once and our number is unlisted. The phone company admitted that they gave our information out and refunded us money with an apology. BUT...since all of our stuff was already out there, it would take a few years to get rid of it. I would have had to contact the company that supplies these search engines with the information and fill out a ton of paperwork, etc. You can't just instantly be gone. I said forget it and just got ourselves a new telephone number.