Confidentiality/HIPAA

CN-AHECGrand Island,Nebraska

Confidentiality

- is essential for a patient and his or her healthcare provider.

Confidentiality goes back as far as Hippocrates ( the father of medicine), “whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession, as well as outside of my profession, I will never divulge holding such things to be holy secret.”

All information concerning patients is referred to as privileged information, and should only be shared with employees who are caring for the patient.

Confidentiality means keeping all privileged information private. Including information pertaining to a patient’s:

-diagnosis -medical history -lifestyle

While at work or job shadowing….◦ Discussion of patient’s privileged information

should not be discussed in: -elevators -gift shops -cafeteria -hallway -parking lot

Healthcare professionals should respect confidentiality when treating competent minors by:◦ -allowing them to verbally consent to medical

treatmentConfidentiality of minors can be breached when

parents need to be informed of treatment or serious illness.

Medical records are legal documents containing confidential information.

Medical records contain factual information.

Medical records contain information pertaining to the patients care.

Medical professions can guard confidentiality by: -not disclosing information without written

consent

-when talking on the telephone to a patient, not use the patients name, if other’s in the room could overhear.

-when leaving a message on an answering machine, simply ask for the patient to return a call.

CONFIDENTIALITY IS IMPORTANT……..

That is why healthcare facilities have policies like HIPAA

HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HIPAA is a federal privacy law that health professionals must follow in order to keep patient medical information confidential.

HIPPA affects every staff member , volunteer and job shadow participant.

Everyone who works in healthcare facility know the important of confidentiality or patients.

There are consequences if confidentiality is breached, such as:

-reprimand -facility disciplinary action -loss of privileges -termination -fines -jail time

AS A REMINDER……◦ DO NOT TALK ABOUT PATIENTS OR THEIR

MEDICAL INFORMATION!!!!!!!

It is “human nature” to want to share interesting information, but when dealing with patient medical information.

DO NOT SHARE!!!

Do not share any details about any patient. Even if you think you are not breaking any rules by not using the patients name.

DO NOT SHARE!!!

If you have questions about what you should or should not share during your job shadowing experience….please ask.

While job shadowing please remember:◦ Do not share patient information with anyone.◦ Learn all you can◦ Ask questions◦ Consider healthcare as a career◦ ENJOY YOURSELF!!!

There are two things that need to be completed prior to job shadowing-

1. brief exam

2. choose 2 of the 4 scenarios and describe potential consequences that may result.

Please click on the link on the HIPAA Training website to access the test and scenario

TEST

Thank you and Good Luck!