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    bwerner's Avatar
    bwerner Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Feb 11, 2009, 12:04 PM
    HIPAA violation in Medical Practice
    We are in a debate in the office. Is it a criminal and/or civil offense to dispose of a patients name on paperwork that only has the patient's name and possibly the name of the facility but no other information like DOB, ACCOUNT #, etc.:confused:

    I feel anything that has account numbers, names, just about anything that has patient data even without a name should be shredded?

    Thanks,

    Las Vegas, NV
    twinkiedooter's Avatar
    twinkiedooter Posts: 12,172, Reputation: 1054
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    #2

    Feb 11, 2009, 02:49 PM

    Shread everything. It's a civil offense.
    Lowtax4eva's Avatar
    Lowtax4eva Posts: 2,467, Reputation: 190
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    #3

    Feb 11, 2009, 02:51 PM

    Yeah, in case of doubt shred it to be safe
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #4

    Feb 12, 2009, 07:32 AM

    I'm amazed that it's not office policy to routine shred everything so that if anything ever does get out the answer isn't, "Not possible, we shred everything."
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #5

    Feb 12, 2009, 07:37 AM
    The answer is YES. It is a HIPAA violation not to shred anything that has ANY patient info on it whatsoever. Names only included.

    What if this patient was a No Publish? Meaning that they want no one to know that they are a patient, what their diagnosis is, and what their treatment is. If this info is not shredded, it is available to anyone who looks through the trash.

    You are the winner in the debate.
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