I would like to know if giving report on your patients standing in the common hallway is a HIPPA violation. This has been reinstitutionalized at the hospital that I work at. The lat time we were forced to do this I was physically assulted by a family member of one of my patients who over heard the report of another patient. If this is a violation how do I find supporting material and/or law suits

First of all, it's HIPAA, not HIPPA.

Now, this can be a violation, it all depends on how the report is given. We also do walking rounds with our patients. The most pertinent of information is given at the desk where there are no visitors.

When we do walking rounds we round with information that is not as vital. We talk to the patient, introduce ourselves, then, for example, I will tell the on-coming nurse the last time the patient had meds, what the meds were, etc. This also involves the patient in their care.

If this is a hospital, there is likely to be someone who is in charge of HIPAA training and enforcement. I would find that person and discuss your concerns with them.

Make sure of course that any instructions given you are in writing, so that if someone charges you, there is documents showing you were following written hospital procedures.

Again, Walking Rounds are making a comeback. There is info that you can, and should, present during these rounds and info that should remain private and should only be discussed in private.

When in doubt, it's best you discuss this with your nurse manager to find out what info should be given out when.