HIPAA Alert: Who Can Hear You?

What complaints have been received about the way patient information is discussed? Before speaking, imagine that you are the patient and this is your information that is being discussed -- then adjust your volume, tone and speech accordingly.

Specific complaints made against our organization include:

• Front desk staff speaking too loudly when confirming patient information.
• Patients overhear staff discussing another patient while waiting in the exam room, standing at the nurse’s station or waiting in the lobby.
• Staff discussing patient information in hallways or the elevator.
• Detailed appointment or test result information left on voice mails or answering machines.

Patients are extremely sensitive to issues of identity theft and personal privacy. Any misstep in safeguarding that information jeopardizes their trust in our organization. 

Imagine that you are the patient and it is your information that is being discussed. Then adjust your volume, tone and speech accordingly.   

For questions about safeguarding verbal information, contact HIPAA Privacy Officer Tracy Durbin at (402) 354-4901.