She works at Planned Parenthood, and I was a little offended and embarassed that she did that.
2007-10-10 05:05:22 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Unless she was directly involved in your care then she has no business looking at your records.
What she did is a HIPAA violation, can cause her to lose her job, and the clinic can be fined.
2007-10-10 05:11:15 · answer #1 · answered by Susie D 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In the USA, laws have been passed banning people from looking at medical records unless they have a need to know to serve the needs of the patient.
So if someone needs medical treatment, the doctors and pharmacy to deliver the medical services, they get to see the records that are RELEVANT to the treatment, and someone may need to see some records to arrange for the insurance company to pay the bills.
But family and friends of the patient MAY NOT have access to the records without the permission of the patient. Other people who work for the medical services place may not see the records on any patient out of nosiness.
It is a serious infraction of US law for a person to look at medical records where they have no business looking. However, the laws are not enforced well. If your friend is caught, odds are the worst that will happen to her is to be fired from her job, no fines, no jail time.
Obviously this person is no longer your friend, and you tell her why. She does not respect your privacy. She is also a criminal, and you do not want to associate yourself with criminals.
If she claims to be ignorant about laws pertaining to medical privacy, disputing the notion that she is now a criminal, then direct her to web sites that explain HIPAA = Personal Privacy of Health information
http://www.hipaadvisory.com/REGS/HIPAAprimer.htm
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
http://www.hipaa.org/
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/HIPAAGenInfo/
It is possible that she got hired, and not properly trained in the responsibilities of the office, and is truely ignorant about this.
2007-10-10 12:25:28 · answer #2 · answered by Al Mac Wheel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She works there. Did you know that? She can't tell anyone, and she shouldn' t have looked at your records unless she had to in the course of her job. Next time go to a different clinic where you don't know anybody. I worked in a law office for several years in a small town and I knew many legal issues of friends. I prepared all their court documents. If they didn't want me to know stuff, they could easily go somewhere else.
2007-10-10 12:10:46 · answer #3 · answered by Eisbär 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she had no business in doing so....I would rip her a new assshole. She could be fired for that. HIPPA laws are what is suppose to protect your medical records and she took an oath. Let her know that being a friend doesnt change that your medical history is YOUR business. You may really want to consider telling on her...thats not a friend!!!
2007-10-10 12:15:15 · answer #4 · answered by Mean Carleen 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If she did it illegally then you have every right to be upset and you should do something about it to let her know that you didn't appreciate her snooping into your Medical Records. This way if you report her your even with her, because I'm sure she'll be embarrassed when confronted about this.
2007-10-10 12:13:45 · answer #5 · answered by 24Special 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't state what evidence that you have that she "saw your medical records".
I am sure people at PP go through extraordinary training regarding sensitivity, appearances, and ethics.
If she saw your records, it was part of her job, I am sure.
Complain to the clinic management, but be prepared for them to ask for details of how you came by this "knowledge" and for them to act accordingly.
2007-10-10 12:59:57 · answer #6 · answered by Barry C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps she had to as part of heir job. But if she did, she should not have mentioned it to you or anyone else outside the scope ofher job. It may have also been a good idea for her to go to her supervisor and say, ":hey, I know this person, she's my friend. I don't want to have any parts of her records"", and her supervisor should have understood.
2007-10-10 12:10:50 · answer #7 · answered by TedEx 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not a violation if she is responsible for the records in the clinic. IF she was just being nosy, it is a violation not just of your privacy but of federal law.
2007-10-10 12:21:23 · answer #8 · answered by CrazyGirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I worked at a doctor's clinic and looked at medical records all day and I was only the receptionist...it was my job.
If it is her job to look at them then you can not do anything about it...its her job.
2007-10-10 12:14:10 · answer #9 · answered by Jessi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If her job is to review patient records or make entries as a custodian of records, then it's perfectly legal.
If she cleans bathrooms, then you need to file a complaint with PP.
2007-10-10 12:09:54 · answer #10 · answered by hexeliebe 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋