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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Letter To The Editor

Joe,

I'm wondering if you or any of your readers could answer something for me concerning where privacy begins and ends medically.

On Saturday I attended a class at Hancock's. From the moment I arrived it was extremely awkward for me. There was another woman arriving at the same time as I. Due to her walking slowly I took another aisle to go around her. This is where her childish behavior started. As soon as she saw that I had gone in a different direction she sped up and actually tried to cut me off at the door. She made sure what she had to say about me to her friend was loud enough for me to hear. I did try to explain that I had something heavy with me that I wanted to put down which is why I was in a hurry. I could see that her friend was uncomfortable with the situation since this woman continued to make comments.

After the class several of us were lingering around so we could talk one-to-one with the teacher. During this time what happened next shocked me. This woman told her friend that she had done my mammogram. I had to leave the room for a few in order to keep from saying something in front of the others.

Is this common practice for those people you trust at the PRMC, doctor's offices, etc to tell others that you go to them? Due to her not being a doctor or a nurse I'm not sure if the privacy rule even exist. I've given it lots of thought since returning home. Before my next mammogram I will find another location due to PRMC only having that one woman (or she's the only one who has been working when I've been). Before I have been seen I've always had to sign the privacy paper. I'm now confused what the paper covers. If there is someone out there who can fill me in please do.

Thank you.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

You can bet your bottom dollar that those same laws apply. I would be at that medical office today lodging a complaint.

Anonymous said...

i am a nurse and i can tell you that she violated HIPPA regulations and should be reported. i know i would not tolerate this. most medical personel take this very seriously as they know the ramifications for violation. please save others from this womans behavior and report. hippa covers anyone that has contact with patients and their personal medical information.

citygoer said...

Professionalism isnt a common characteristic on the shore. Get used to it.

Anonymous said...

You should notify her employer and make a complaint. Any person working at PRMC is not allowed to discuss patient information with others and give out names or details about the patient.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely, file a complaint now. I work in healthcare and this goes on far too much.

Anonymous said...

Please do everyone a favor...file a complaint immediately. She violated every rule in the book & should have to face the consequences. You're never allowed to divulge any patient information. If people started complaining then maybe some of these busy bodies would shut their mouths for a change. It's nobody's business what you had done or where it was done.

Anonymous said...

I feel a little bit different about this , granted , you should
pursue this legally , but , I wish you would have knocked the $hit out of her. You won't go to jail and it is a minnor offense.

Anonymous said...

She will be fired for violating HIPPA laws. They are very, very specific and clear. She had no right to discuss any medical test that she performed. She is completely wrong, ignorant and quite a witch (with a capital B). Don't tolerate this behavior. I hate when people act obnoxious. You were better than me caused I would have popped her in the mouth. Anyway, take care of this. Use your experience to teach others that no it is not ok to discuss anything related to your medical information.

Anonymous said...

Do the rest of us a favor. Get her out of healthcare by reporting her.

Anonymous said...

For some complaints, it's one person's word against another. This time there are many witnesses. Report her.

Anonymous said...

I work for a doctor and not only was what she did lacking in class, it was illegal. Call her place of work and report her immediately. This should not be tolerated.

Anonymous said...

HIPPA--please explain to me why, at PRMC's surgery waiting area, surgeons come out and tell the family all the specifics of the patient's procedures performed, status of patient, prognosis, etc., etc.--this happens every day and is regular procedure there. Anyone sitting within the room can hear ALL of this information given by the doctor about the other person.

Anonymous said...

Wow this lady has issues..You definitly should go and file a complaint. That was so wrong on so many levels. She definitly violated the hippa regulations..

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for clearing the privacy question up for me. I have her name along with her friend's name. Everyone wore name badges.

This is why I like this blog. I don't always agree with every post. Joe allows questions to be asked and the public to comment.

Once again, Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Same thing happens at Hopkins 10:06. The doctors discuss all the details that just occured in the operating room right there in the waiting room with others listning.

Anonymous said...

10:06 and 10:15 If you feel that this is in poor taste, then ask the drs to step into a room or hallway where no one is. Believe me if they take you in a private room to talk to you, it is not good news.

Anonymous said...

The Salisbury Diagnostic and Breast Center is a nice alternative to PRMC for having a mammogram done. It's small, friendly and very private.

Anonymous said...

10:06 & 10:15
When the doctors are explaining the outcomes of procedures, they're not saying the name of the patient. They are talking to the immediate family & the patient has already given permission for them to do so. Also, strangers within earshot don't know who the docs are talking about.

Anonymous said...

Where is The Salisbury and Breast Center? Is this the new place near K-Mart? This woman works at the Breast Center at PRMC.

Anonymous said...

Wow what a total uncaring winch. I would have smacked her in the chicklets. Then stated now you can say I am the lady that loosened your grill.

I just can just picture this nurse. I bet she fits a certain profile and NO it is not race. There seems to be a large number of nurses that think their fecal matter does not stink. They walk around talking about how much smarter they are than the doctors. We all know who they are,.

I am sorry for your treatment. File a formal complaint. You can also seek civil judgement. Sometimes that get attention in a hurry. All they care about is the money anyway. very few are in it to help.

Anonymous said...

1:32 This woman isn't a nurse, she's the one who actually does your mammogram. I'm not sure of this job title. Would this be a tech?

Anonymous said...

It is likely a radiology tech of some sort.

Even janitorial staff in medical offices are obligated to maintain HIPPA privacy.

I'd file a complaint ASAP.

Anonymous said...

I believe the poster is talking about The Women's health center at PRMC and the person she's talking about is an X-ray tech whose specilty is mammography.

I use to work in the X-ray department around the time the women's center was created, and i must tell you this: It has been a $2million disaster. they have no real boss down there since their real boss is the head of Radiology and they're located on the other side of the hospital from her. These people, whenever they would come to main Radiology acted like they were all better than us. they must be because they only did half of the work.

I'm askin the poster to call the CEO of hospital so this person will get FIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!

More than likely this person probably doesn't have a valide X-ray license anyway.

Anonymous said...

you should report her right away.

Anonymous said...

Salisbury Diagnostic & Breast Center is across the street from hospital on Carroll St. around in the back of the building on the lower level. Facing the Ramada. They are very nice there. They do mammos and bone density tests all in one location.

Anonymous said...

The Hospital should have a patients advocate. Talk to her/him. It was a serious HIPPA violation.

Anonymous said...

This is no different then going into Salisbury Immediate Care and you are video and audio taped as soon as you go to the check in and continues throughout the entire area. Even when the P.A.'s there are at their desks calling back test results and talking about patients amoung each other this is being recorded and audio taped. The employees there at one time didnt even know this was happening. It is being seen and heard from one of the owners home. How HIPPA compliant is that????