Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    timbomb's Avatar
    timbomb Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jul 31, 2012, 03:38 AM
    Employer requesting hospital discharge notes
    I was ill in hospital and have been discharged. I have given a doctors note to my employer covering my illness and time spent in hospital. They have requested I show them my hospital discharge notes. Is this lawful even though I have given them a doctors note?
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
     
    #2

    Jul 31, 2012, 03:42 AM
    It is lawful to request, but you do not have to comply. Why do they want these notes? If they are concerned about safety or contagion, then let them explain and you can have your doctor satisfy their concerns. But they don't have a right to browse your records.

    On the other hand, they can probably terminate you if they are not satisfied.
    timbomb's Avatar
    timbomb Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Jul 31, 2012, 03:46 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ScottGem View Post
    It is lawful to request, but you do not have to comply. Why do they want these notes? If they are concerned about safety or contagion, then let them explain and you can have your doctor satisfy their concerns. But they don't have a right to browse your records.

    On the other hand, they can probably terminate you if they are not satisfied.
    To be honest this makes me feel intimidated. I was in hospital with asthma problems. The doctors note should do.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
     
    #4

    Jul 31, 2012, 03:51 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by timbomb View Post
    To be honest this makes me feel intimidated. i was in hospital with asthma problems. The doctors note should do.
    A company has a right to protect their employees. If your asthma could affect your job and the safety of your co-workers the company has a right to ask.

    Again, if they have specific issues, they can ask the questions and you can get answers from your doctor. Why should that intimidate you?
    timbomb's Avatar
    timbomb Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #5

    Jul 31, 2012, 04:02 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by ScottGem View Post
    A company has a right to protect their employees. If your asthma could affect your job and the safety of your co-workers the company has a right to ask.

    Again, if they have specific issues, they can ask the questions and you can get answers from your doctor. Why should that intimidate you?
    If a medical expert has signed me fit for work. Why should hospital notes matter? It's intimidating because I threw away my discharge note thinking I don't need it.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
    Expert
     
    #6

    Jul 31, 2012, 04:06 AM
    Yes it is intimidating, since they may fire you if you don't provide them.

    Why would you not wish to do it, if it is just asthma, does having asthma effect your job ?
    If you use an inhaler the work place should be made aware of that anyway.

    Also discharge paper is basically the paper that shows how long you were in the hospital. Assuming you missed several days of work, they will want this as proof,
    1. you were actually in the hospital
    2. you were in the hospital for the number of days you said.

    It sounds like they may not believe you were really in the hospital.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
    Computer Expert and Renaissance Man
     
    #7

    Jul 31, 2012, 04:45 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by timbomb View Post
    If a medical expert has signed me fit for work. Why should hospital notes matter?.
    I don't know. But they have a reason for asking. That reason may not be valid or it may be. Have you asked why they want them? If it is just to confirm your stay as Chuck suggests, then the hospital can verify it.

    The point is that you don't have to give them info they don't need, but there could be info they do need. So you ask.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

My employer copied notes on my condition from the ER room did this violate my HIPAA [ 0 Answers ]

My Employer copied not only the note from the ER doctor but also the record with notes pertaining to diagnosis. Did this violate my HIPAA privacy rights? They did not ask me to sign the normal HIPAA waiver to allow us to discuss these things.

How is the best way to write an email to a former employer requesting my W2 Tax Form? [ 3 Answers ]

In business form, What would be the most proper way to request my W2 Tax Form from a former employer?

Can an employer ask for hospital discharge papers? [ 7 Answers ]

Can an employer legally ask an employee for his/her discharge paperwork from a hospitalization before employee is allowed to return to work? Employee has note from doctor stating he was under doctor's care and may return to work with no restrictions.

Is sharing nursing notes and hospital notes with physician a HIPPA violation [ 7 Answers ]

Pediatric patient has homehealth. Patient has lived with grandparents for 4 years. Mother has now come back into picture. For the best interest of the child, is it a HIPPA violation for a nurse to dicuss homehealth record with physician during hospitalizations.

Employer requesting to be reimbursed for old fica taxes. [ 10 Answers ]

My husband worked as a contractor for 2 years and we would pay our own taxes in installmentsto the IRS ourselves. The state of CA then required the employer to reclassify them as employees for 2005 . They were reclassified as employees in September 2005 but the employer paid his share of ss and...


View more questions Search