Hipaa Waiting Room
hipaa waiting room
Is this a HIPAA violation?
I work in a medical clinic. We are told not to call patients from the waiting room by their first and last name, only last name. I was told that this is a HIPAA violation. This sometimes causes confusion, especially if 2 patients are present with the same last name. What does the law state?
Not really. First and last name, and the fact that they are at the doctor’s office is not releasing any private medical information on that person. Everyone in earshot can also see who that patient is, so they already know.
If you yelled out the patient’s name and state that the doctor can now see you for that wart on your genitals, then you have violated HIPAA. You’ve identified the person and what their medical condition is.
This doesn’t mean the clinic cannot make a policy such as you stated. Maybe a few patients expressed concerned, so the clinic themselves implemented this policy. At my clinic, they call us by first name only, then verify the last name after you are close enough and others cannot hear.
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