An Occupational Therapist recently posted information about one of her patients online. Giving many details about his medical condtion, what it was, how and where it happened, and his age. She did not give his name, however with all the informatin given someone who knew him could have easily figured it out. Is this a HIPPA violation?

No, it is not. What was the purpose of the post?

No it is not.

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

No, it is not. What was the purpose of the post?

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I find it to be another of those "I heard from my sister's gardener's hairdresser's neighbor's boyfriend's aunt...." stories - which usually boils down to it being the OP who is talking about themselves in the 3rd person.

The purpose of the post was to tell this man's "inspirational story" w/o his permission. The post which I saw and personally know the OT (there is no way this story was 3rd person story about herself) gave detailed information about her own patient.

That being said thank you for your obviously rude and sarcastic remarks, they were so knowledgeable and informative I would have to believe them.

Actually, yes it is a HIPAA violation. I could go on my Facebook and talk about my "crazy" night, and if someone read it that knew about the night and the patient in question I could be held liable for a violation.

As medical providers we cannot post ANYtHING via the internet that may be recognized by someone.

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Originally Posted by short78

The purpose of the post was to tell this man's "inspirational story" w/o his permission. The post which I saw and personally know the OT (there is no way this story was 3rd person story about herself) gave detailed information about her own patient.

That being said thank you for your obviously rude and sarcastic remarks, they were so knowledgable and informative I would have to believe them.

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The whole problem is that your initial question, as well as your follow-up, were completely vague. You don't tell us who you are, how you're related to the patient, where the information was posted, how you found out that it was posted, how you knew that particular medical professional was, how you knew for a fact that s/he was referring to that patient in particular and how you know for a fact that no permission was given.

Are you the patient? Are you a friend of the patient? Are you a co-worker of the medical professional? Are you a friend of the medical professional? Perhaps we were rude and sarcastic; if so, I apologize for all of us. But we have a lot of people who come to this website, make up stories and we waste the time trying to give advice only to find out that none of it is real. We've all become a bit cynical about posts that don't actually tell us anything. Perhaps if you could give us some more information, it would be easier to understand what it is you're asking and why you're asking for it.