I work in an ER as a RN and one day I developed severe abdominal pain and it was so bad I did not feel safe driving to another hospital so I ended up getting examined by the ER MD working that day. I got blood work ,fluids, almost a CT and a US of the bladder. It turns out I had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and needed surgery. I got transferred to another hospital as I requested. Since then I have spoken to some of my coworkers and theyy have said things like "I heard what happened". Also, one of my friends asked her cousin who works in the same ER I do if she has seen me. Her cousin told my friend that I had an ectopic pregnancy, was in the ER and go ttransfered. Have my rights been violated. I am supposed to return to work here shortley but am feeling uncomfortable as the day approaches.

The cousin seriously violated HIPAA rules, but the question is what do you want to do about it? If you report it, the cousin could be fired and other people you work with may be disciplined. If that happens it may be even more uncomfortable for you to continue to work there.

I agree with ScottGem on both counts - yes your rights have been violated, but 99% of it was probably heartfelt concern rather than gossip (you know best about all that), and you need to weigh the consequences. You could return to work, take the people aside who talked and chew them out, and tell everyone else that it is not any of their business and you don't want to get anyone in trouble and to please drop the subject.

The alternatives are to either file a complaint with personnel, or file a complaint with HIPAA (which could take a year or more to address), get people fired, and find another job yourself after you are snubbed.

I totally agree with everyone above. Yes, your cousin violated.

I wonder though why you did not want to be seen by the ER doc that you work for. Don't you trust him? Why did you insist on being transferred? Don't you trust the facility where you work?

I don't understand why you feel uncomfortable returning, other than basically dissing the hospital you work for. These people are your partners in the health care field. They work with you, what 3 or 4 - 12 hour+ shifts a week? They care about you. They are concerned for you and your health. You should consider yourself lucky that you have co-workers like this rather than trying to get them fired.

Now, if you go and report these people, expect to be more uncomfortable than you are now because, at least the cousin, will get written up or fired.