So I go to the doctor to get my rib checked out. It might be cracked or it might be a muscle strain.
At any rate they send me to get an x-ray done of the sore spot.
For some reason the x-ray tech decided to x-ray my heart and lungs twice. Then asked me if I had shortness of breath, heart trouble, etc. like 3 times during that last part.
Of course she is not allowed to say anything because she is not the doctor or official x-ray report reader.
So now I'm like, whoa! I wonder what's up with those questions. Should I be having trouble? What did she find?
Now I have to wait a few days to know because of the super strict rules about that kind of stuff.
2007-07-13 03:46:55 · 8 answers · asked by Emperor Insania Says Bye! 5 in Health ➔ Other - Health
I thought HIPPA rules state that only the qualified individual is allowed to tell you things about what they find?
2007-07-13 03:50:58 · update #1
OK - So it's not HIPPA! ;-)
Still fun nonetheless.
2007-07-13 04:11:06 · update #2
I'm an x-ray tech. When we do rib x-rays, we don't just shoot the specific area... I do the entire rib cage in 2 different positions, usually 3 or 4 pictures. This is standard protocol. It is also normal to get your history so the radiologist reading your films knows better what to look for, which I'm sure is why she was asking you those questions. Very normal.
2007-07-13 14:15:26 · answer #1 · answered by RadTech - BAS RT(R)(ARRT) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This has nothing to do with the rules of HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
It has to do with non-doctors interpreting records. Most techs know as much or more than doctors about what the x-rays show, but they are not allowed to diagnose or even hint about a diagnosis. They can get in big trouble if they do.
2007-07-13 10:51:28 · answer #2 · answered by emmalue 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first guy has it right her behavior isn't HIPPA related and in fact you need to talk to your doctor about what happen and maybe even complain about it a little. It seems to me she went out of her box as a techie and did step into the role of diagnostian. Not cool! As for taking two xrays that can be standard procedure if the first set were foggy.
2007-07-13 10:54:15 · answer #3 · answered by LEC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, hippa was created for patients privacy. anybody that works in the healthcare field cannot discuss ur charts.information with anybody and cannot give out any of the patients information to anybody. u might not be able to get info on urself if u dont have the necessary info we require to give out that info. also with hippa u have to protect the patients information at all times...meaning if a patients paperwork is on ur computer or desk, when u leave the area u need to cover it up.....also some things cannot be discussed over the phone, have to do in person.
2007-07-13 12:50:15 · answer #4 · answered by Ma Baby 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm glad you got your rib checked out because if it had broke wrong you can puncture a lung.With or without insurance never take a chance.
2007-07-13 11:31:00 · answer #5 · answered by Icyelene R 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just skimmed through my text book here, and I couldn't find anything about that type of situation or with the privacy. I think it was also just the people at the hospital.
2007-07-13 11:03:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The fact that the x-rayer wouldn't tell you has ZERO to do with HIPAA.
2007-07-13 10:49:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh wow...that really does suck. But, you know, youwouldn't want just anyone to have privy to your information.
2007-07-13 10:49:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋