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View Full Version : Is it a Hipaa violation to post a family members name on a website ?


EMS1521
Sep 9, 2011, 01:50 PM
I am an EMT. I provide 911 emergency service for a township. I responded to a call the other day And later found out it was a family member that I provided care to that day. I later found out that the person died of his sickness. I posted a rest in peace message on Facebook containing the patients last name. Is this a Hipaa violation?

Curlyben
Sep 9, 2011, 02:15 PM
Did you divulge any details of their condition or other private information, then NO.

J_9
Sep 9, 2011, 05:48 PM
Actually, this one is a bit more complicated than most. Since this person was your patient it very well could be a violation since you posted the death on a public board. With that said, however, this was also a family member. So, if it were to come down to it, you could argue the fact that this was a family member and that you found the news out after your treatment of this patient ceased.