[20yearwife]

I see many of the people following my post have experience with accessing PHI. Could someone share with me exactly what PHI could be available for a pharmacy tech to view if they chose to be unscrupulous?

Could someone with a pharm tech's access privileges view my social security number? My address and telephone number? My date of birth? Credit card numbers? Names of doctors who have prescribed medication? Would any other types of information be available to them?

[JudyKayTee]

I see many of the people following my post have experience with accessing PHI. Could someone share with me exactly what PHI could be available for a pharmacy tech to view if they chose to be unscrupulous?

Could someone with a pharm tech's access privileges view my social security number? my address and telephone number? my date of birth? credit card numbers? names of doctors who have prescribed medication? Would any other types of information be available to them?

Must depend on location, passwords, store policy. I've seen the entire patient record available and I've seen NO RECORDS available. The Pharmacist does all the record keeping, computer input. The Tech may, in fact, double count or do a little more or less. Techs would (under normal circumstances) have no reason to access detailed patient info. Obviously if they hand out the medication they know what it is - if they care to look and/or double check.

This also opens up the whole "what qualifies a Pharm Tech" question - advanced schooling? A high school graduate? How qualified is the Tech - ?

Depends on the store - how busy they are, how much the Pharm Tech is trusted.

[20yearwife]

Thank you. I didn't realize there were so many variables involved.

I will go to the pharmacy involved again and see if anyone can give me the exact information I'm trying to find. I tried this before posting my question on this board. Unfortunately no one in the pharmacy or at the superstore help desk knows who I should contact to get the information. I've left my name and phone numbers and requested some one call me about my questions but no one has. Isn't it a HIPAA requirement that someone at that pharmacy be able to answer my inquires about my PHI?

Do you think is would be possible to block a particular pharm tech's access to my PHI? Or would that a pharmacy dependent policy as well? Would it be an improper request on my part to ask for such action?

[JudyKayTee]

Thank you. I didn't realize there were so many variables involved.

I will go to the pharmacy involved again and see if anyone can give me the exact information I'm trying to find. I tried this before posting my question on this board. Unfortunately no one in the pharmacy or at the superstore help desk knows who I should contact to get the information. I've left my name and phone numbers and requested some one call me about my questions but no one has. Isn't it a HIPAA requirement that someone at that pharmacy be able to answer my inquires about my PHI?

Do you think is would be possible to block a particular pharm tech's access to my PHI? Or would that a pharmacy dependent policy as well? Would it be an improper request on my part to ask for such action?

1 - You said you moved your business to another Pharmacy so there is nothing new. If she already looked she has everything.

2 - The Supervising Pharmacist or the Regional Managing Pharmacist should have the info. If not, try corporate headquarters. Keep in mind that no one may be aware of any of this until you tell them.

3 - Why would you block her? I personally would "fire" you as a customer and keep her as a Tech.

4 - Your medical history and medications very well may be subpoenaed into Court during your divorce.

5 - Getting the Tech fired - if that is your plan - is not going to make you feel better.

6 - You really are making mountains out of molehills. You are feeding into your husband's hands - you do sound like you are over reacting and he or his Attorney will use this as evidence of your alleged instability and, perhaps, paranoia.

[J_9]

I agree with Judy. You have taken your business elsewhere and it's time to let sleeping dogs lie. If you continue your crusade you are just feeding your ex husband and his attorney with fuel to add to his fire.

At any point, in my hospital, approximately 75 people have LEGAL access to medical records of any patient hospitalized. Full ACCESS! It is what we do with it after work, in public, or within hearing of other patients or visitors, that constitutes a violation of the HIPAA laws. Once we leave work, our work stays in the building and we are not, and we sign contracts, to discuss patients with ANYONE, not even our own families.