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View Full Version : How is a HIPPA violation reported?


ERnurse
Jun 30, 2009, 09:13 PM
In the ER where I work, a HIPPA violation occurs each time a patient is triaged. The ER just underwent a remodel where private triage areas were replaced with a long counter where patients step up to for triage. Now their information is discussed with the nurse at the counter, while other patients wait in a line behind them for triage. It is like buying movie tickets! The entire line behind them and waiting room can hear all the patient's information such as chief complaint, health history, address, name, ss# etc. The process is terrible and I believe a direct violation of HIPPA. How would I report it so that something will be done about this? Primarily because management is not listening, nor intending to change the process!

Fr_Chuck
Jun 30, 2009, 09:31 PM
You report it to the management of the Hospital

How many patients have filed complaints.
Part of the issue, is that it is a patient, not a hospital employee giving out the info, So the patient has the ability to tell everyone.

It is the hospital forcing them to, that is the issue.
And I guess my other issue, how many people in Line, I have been though some of Atlanta's busiest and not seen "lines" of people coming into the ER to sign in at the same time