Any Nurses on?

Question

My husband is currently in the hospital for an asthma attack and no one will tell us anything. All his test results are in but the doctor refuses to give me information due to the Hepa LAW.Im so upset.I asked the nurse can you page the doctor and she goes "Were only allowed to page him if something is wrong with the patient"I said Can you call him and tell him his patient has questions. "She said sure but that doesnt mean he'll call back"I'm like WTF??? Is this how hospitals work? Where Im from the doctor and nurses can talk to the spouse. My husband even sighned the paper to release information to me. Can Anyone help me understand?----Frustrated in Florida

Answer 1

Sorry - not a nurse - but I know how frustrating it can be. My grandmother (who is 81) was in the hospital few months ago and the same thing - wouldn't tell us anything. The doctors would tell her what was wrong and when we went to visit - she couldn't remember what they told her. We also live in Florida.

But the funny thing is - they are so big into this HIPA law but my grandmother had to share a room - so although they couldn't tell us - her family - what was wrong - the person sharing the room knew every last detail about her. So much for privacy.

Hope everything works out OK and I hope your husband is feeling better (and home) soon.

Answer 2

The HIPPA laws are very strict and carry hefty fines for health care facilities if they are broken, so most err on the side of caution, but you do have a couple of options. You may be there when the Dr. comes and make sure your husband tells him he wants you to stay in the room. That is the most direct way to get information. I also recommend making a list of questions and concerns so you can address them completely, or you will surely wish you had remembered something when the Dr. is down the hall.

Second, if you absolutely cannot be there when the Dr. comes, have a phone number where you can be reached and ask the Dr. to call you from your husband's room where he can give verbal permission. Sometimes the best way to ask for this is to have the nurse place a note on the front of the chart so the Dr. will see it. Make it clear you and your husband want him to call and discuss questions you both have, and again have your list with you.

Answer 3

HIPPA laws prevent giving info to anyone except the patient. No, the dr will most likely not call back to answer a few questions from their patient, and he will most likely chew the nurse a new hole for paging him for that reason. The best way to find out info and question the dr is to be there when he rounds. Unfortunately, they usually don't do that at set times. There should be a clinical liasion or case worker or patient advocate at the hospital who can help u get info. If all else fails, tell the charge nurse that u want to speak to the house supervisor or someone from administration.

Answer 4

Due to all the laws and law-suites against health care providers, most are reluctant to give any information. The best thing to do for now, is find out what time the doctor makes rounds, and be standing beside your husband when the MD comes thru, then ask away.

It sounds stupid, but staff are not allowed to discuss patients at the nurses station, because someone overheard a discussion, told that to someone else, and it got back to the patient they were discussing, and a major law suite cost the hospitals millions of dollars.

Answer 5

What is it that you are wanting to know, sweetie? I was a nurse for 18 years & am now disabled due to fibromyalgia & migraines. I am now a SAHM. Fulltime job!