Woke up in sever pain, thinking I slept the wrong way. After running hot water to loosen muscles, pain became more severe. Went to health care facility where I work. Basic vitals taken, but no EKG to confirm no heart attack. Sent to waiting area for approx. 50 minutes without being assessed by a Provider. No contact with Provider. Left facility to been seen by another. Admitted to outside facility under different Insurance Plan due to severe buldging disck in neck, with severe vein inflammation. Is it permissible for the nurse that did not seek further assistance , not following the "Standard of Care Protocol" to call me 4 days later from her private cell home asking "why did I leave, why didn't I stay" at this time I was admitted to hospital, second day stay. I have not worked in this department for at least 3 years. Has a violation taken place.

Time to take a read of what HIPPA actually is.

Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/index.html)

I don't see how any violation occurred.

Someone showing concern is not the same as someone sharing your private information with others. It is probably standard procedure to make sure they do not get sued for your not receiving care because you up and left. She probably needed to follow up for their sake.

Your wording is unclear anyway - the nurse who told you to wait called you at work, but called the wrong department (on her personal cell phone), and asked 'someone' there why you left?

I agree that there is no violation of HIPAA laws. Some small part might have been against company policy, depending on how much was said on that call. Talk to personnel. 'Privacy' about medical situations at work is mostly a myth.

The clinic might be on the hot seat for just taking vitals and sending you back to wait. I would have gone to the desk to say you were leaving, so as to have proof of how long the wait was. There is no 'law' about waiting room time, but I'm sure they are monitoring their own procedures, given that you were then hospitalized.

From what I understand it was her works healthcare nurse.

I got that... but the nurse called him while he was in the hospital, but somehow got him at work, but he didn't even work in that department...

Your wording is unclear anyway - the nurse who told you to wait called you at work, but called the wrong department (on her personal cell phone), and asked 'someone' there why you left?

I agree that there is no violation of HIPAA laws. Some small part might have been against company policy, depending on how much was said on that call. Talk to personnel. 'Privacy' about medical situations at work is mostly a myth.

The clinic might be on the hot seat for just taking vitals and sending you back to wait. I would have gone to the desk to say you were leaving, so as to have proof of how long the wait was. There is no 'law' about waiting room time, but I'm sure they are monitoring their own procedures, given that you were then hospitalized.

The nurse called the OP 4 days later to ask why she left

The nurse called the OP 4 days later to ask why she left

Intake nurse or triage will do vitals and confirm reason for visit before actual examination; patient will then return to wait to be called

Bottom line here. Is the OP went to the facility where she worked, but left that facility before completion of care and without informing anyone. Four days later, someone from the facility called to follow-up why the OP left.

If that is the case, then I don't see any HIPAA violation a all.