I am a senior radiology student in NY. My friend who also works at the hospital I am doing my clinical at came to me and asked about a specific exam she was unsure about. It's painful and stressful. She asked if I could be in the exam the next day when it was performed. I told her that I was assigned to that room for the week, so I would more than likely be in the room with her if she liked. She said yes.

I looked and her case was an add-on and her name wasn't even on the schedule. I asked my supervisor if I could sit in on the exam. He said yes (as that is usually normal practice). The other supervisor came in the morning of the exam and stated that I was NOT allowed to be in the room, that it was against hospital policy and violated HIPAA.

When I explained that she came to me, and I was pretty sure it did not violate HIPAA, she said that it did. My question is, does it violate HIPAA if a friend asks you to be present during an exam? And where can I find the information to support that? Thanks in advance for your help!

You had permission to be there as a health care provider from your supervisor, There is no violation

Not only did your supervisor assign you to the case, your friend requested your presence.

HIPAA protects people from having their medical info revealed to a 3rd party without their permission. I can see the supervisor asking your friend to sign a waiver, but I don't see any HIPAA violation.

I agree with everyone. However, you will be there doing your clinical rotation correct? If so, you will be there in a professional manner.

It would be different if you were there as a friend, aside from school, in your street clothes. But you're going to be there representing your school as a student. While it may not violate HIPAA, it is on the fence.