Wiki Phi

[Creyes1]

Hello,

a patient is stating his rights were violated as the check out desk confirmed, a procedure was going to be on such day, and other patients were around, what is the best way to handle such situations?

 

[Mayzoo]

The office should already have procedures in their HIPAA guidelines manual. Ask the office's privacy officer what the office's procedure is.

Here is something to get you started if the office does not have a manual or a privacy officer (which the office is required to have btw):


https://1sthcc.com/7-steps-for-handling-a-patient-hipaa-privacy-complaint/

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Ed...Downloads/HIPAAPrivacyandSecurityTextOnly.pdf

 

[thomas7331]

Hello,

a patient is stating his rights were violated as the check out desk confirmed, a procedure was going to be on such day, and other patients were around, what is the best way to handle such situations?

I agree with the post above. I'd add that it is not a violation to have other patients 'around', per HHS, "so long as the information disclosed is appropriately limited", with the cautionary note that this kind of disclosure is allowed "only when the covered entity has implemented reasonable safeguards and the minimum necessary standard, where appropriate.". This is discussed on their web site: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-profe...-care-providers-use-sign-in-sheets/index.html

So if there was additional protected information disclosed in an inappropriate manner in front of other patients, or your office does not have these policies in place, then your practice's compliance officer should investigate the patient's complaint and take appropriate action.