Would this bother you? Or am I to sensitive?

[Amber St. Clare]

First ofa ll, pls excuse typos,with my arthritis I'm down to typing with three fingers.

I was recently hospitalized with a stomach ailment. We know an OR nurse from that hospital and she was able to grease the wheels in the ER and I was admitted right away {screaming in agony may also had had something to do with it also.....}. She let the floor nurses know she new me and I was given great care {and a private room}. The thing is, she would check on me during her breaks and mentioned that she hd read my chart!?!? How did an OR nurse get acess to my records which contained, needless t say, extremely private and sensitive info.

We socialize with these people nd consider them good friends. I m grateful for all her assistance but 'm not really happy she got such easy acess to my info. I don't want to get her in trouble, but 'm really bothered about this lapse in what I think is my right to privacy. Mr. St. Clare doesn't know even hlf of what was in it and said let it go, she's a grest peron {he's right} and made a lapse in judgement to care for you. I'm still a little annoyed.

Am I being too sensitive?

again,sorry for typos

 

[missy]

Amber, first of all I am so sorry you are having health issues and I hope you are feeling better very soon.

About the friend who is a nurse...it seems like she was looking out for you and made your stay at the hospital more pleasant so I definitely would not report her about checking your chart. And what she did isn't even illegal because she is a medical professional and hopefully she was checking your chart to make sure everything was being handled properly but I get that you feel like what she was doing might be unethical. It depends on why she was checking your chart truthfully. If it was to make sure you were getting good care then not unethical but ofc if it was to be nosy then yeah not so ethical.

Not sure you should assume the worse in this case because it looks like she does care about you and as you said she is a good friend and person.

Sorry you are stressed about this on top of the health issues...sending hugs and positive thoughts your way.

 

[Amber St. Clare]

Amber, first of all I am so sorry you are having health issues and I hope you are feeling better very soon.

About the friend who is a nurse...it seems like she was looking out for you and made your stay at the hospital more pleasant so I definitely would not report her about checking your chart. And what she did isn't even illegal because she is a medical professional and hopefully she was checking your chart to make sure everything was being handled properly but I get that you feel like what she was doing might be unethical. It depends on why she was checking your chart truthfully. If it was to make sure you were getting good care then not unethical but ofc if it was to be nosy then yeah not so ethical.

Not sure you should assume the worse in this case because it looks like she does care about you and as you said she is a good friend and person.

Sorry you are stressed about this on top of the health issues...sending hugs and positive thoughts your way.

I have no intention of reporting it, and I am really grateful for her help and she is, as long as I've know her,a really ethical and caring person.. What I am bothered about {and I've already admitted to this board} that I am a substance abuser. The husband doesn't even know it.

 

[movie zombie]

you are bothered by this.
I think she was merely looking out for you as she did when she helped grease the wheels......
but you will continue to be bothered by this.
so, why not have a talk with her?
tell her how much you appreciate how she helped you and looked after you and that only a good friend would be so considerate. and you appreciate her looking at your chart to make sure everything was going correctly because everything written about being in a hospital says that the patient needs to have an advocate and not everyone is as lucky to have someone trained like her to look out after them. then find a nice way to say that your medical information privacy is important to you and you know she'll respect that because being such a good friend she knows how upset you'd be to have your medical information being discussed with your husband or other friends.
then try and let it go!
oh, and it does sound like she went the extra mile for you: how about taking her to lunch/having her over and having this conversation? maybe even a nice thank you card with a gift certificate?

eta: admit to her that your husband doesn't know. she'll understand. everyone....and I mean everyone....has something in their life that is "private".

 

[missy]

OK I understand now Amber and I totally get why this is upsetting. I agree with MZ. Have a heart to heart with her and hopefully she will not repeat what was in your chart to anyone. If she did that would be a HIPA violation as well as horribly unethical and from what you wrote before it doesn't seem likely she would do that. I am really sorry this happened but as MZ wrote everyone has something and in this day and age there isn't much that is truly shocking. (((HUGS))) to you.

ETA and the reason I wrote not to report it is because in your earlier post you wrote you didn't want to get her into trouble "but" so I just thought that was something you were considering. Sorry I jumped to that conclusion Amber.

 

[momhappy]

Is it possible that she didn't do a full-on dive into your medical history and that she just meant that she glanced at your chart (for your current hospital stay)? I guess that since you accepted her help/assistance and received special treatment, then her glancing at your chart is the trade-off (or at least that's how I would look at it). It sounds like she was simply trying to provide the best care possible and I wouldn't assume the worst. She's a medical professional (and is aware of patient confidentiality), so I would just leave it alone at this point. Personally, I wouldn't suggest having a conversation with her about it because she is likely to take it the wrong way. She is already aware of patient confidentiality and doesn't need someone reminding her how to do her job. She may be hurt by the fact that you don't trust her enough to keep your information private, especially after all she's done for you.

 

[Amber St. Clare]

Is it possible that she didn't do a full-on dive into your medical history and that she just meant that she glanced at your chart (for your current hospital stay)? I guess that since you accepted her help/assistance and received special treatment, then her glancing at your chart is the trade-off (or at least that's how I would look at it). It sounds like she was simply trying to provide the best care possible and I wouldn't assume the worst. She's a medical professional (and is aware of patient confidentiality), so I would just leave it alone at this point. Personally, I wouldn't suggest having a conversation with her about it because she is likely to take it the wrong way. She is already aware of patient confidentiality and doesn't need someone reminding her how to do her job. She may be hurt by the fact that you don't trust her enough to keep your information private, especially after all she's done for you.

I really like her and don't want her to misunderstand. I thik I'm just going to let it go, because she really is a great person and I don't want to change our relationship. Her husband and mine are long time high school friends and I don't want to rock anyone's boat.

Thnks for your perspective, everyone.

 

[lizzyann]

I wouldn't have a conversation with her. I'd be willing to bet she just looked at your current chart, meaning why you were in the hospital for that stay and didn't look into your medical history portion. You could end up telling her your history and she may have had no idea what you were talking about. So I think it's best to just let the dust settle on this one. A thank you note may be a nice touch for her helping you out and getting you taken care of while you were there. And even if she did see "something" in your chart, I'm sure she will never say a thing to you about it as she will probably know that she overstepped her boundaries and would do the ethical thing which is to keep all quiet.

 

[JewelFreak]

I hope you're feeling better very quickly, Amber. Arthritis is no fun, speaking from experience here!

Your chart most probably did not have your entire medical history. Rather, why you were there, stuff like BP, temp, & pulse, all that glop, but nothing previous to your current illness. Unless you're, say, diabetic or have some chronic condition that affects their treatments, it's not gonna be all-inclusive.

In fact, your friend would likely not have mentioned seeing your chart if there were something she thought would embarrass you. She sounds like a good nurse & a good friend -- in both cases, discretion is part of the picture. And affection, obviously. Try to let it go mentally -- don't worry. She's a medical pro -- even if there were any other info there, good heavens, she's seen SO much worse! I still doubt the chart had anything beyond current illness. Chin up!

--- Laurie

 

[NTave]

She should have not looked at your chart. It would be against her hospitals rules to do so. And she can be fired if they know that she did so.
She is also took an oath to keep any information that she knows to herself..that means that your information should not go further than her.
However, that does not mean it might change things between you two. I think you should have a talk with her privately.

Keep in mind that nurses and doctors read thousands of charts, and treat people that they know, especially in smaller towns. There is a whole lot that they know about people, even the things that husbands/wives do not know,that they keep to themselves.

 

[kenny]

I'm sorry you are not well, but all things considered if I were myself in your situation I would not consider her actions anything to pursue.
Technically she may have done wrong, but her intensions were good.

If you ever find out she discussed anything in your chart to anyone (outside those in the hospital caring for you) that would put it over the line IMO.

 

[iLander]

Yes, you're being too sensitive.

I think she was being thorough, and making sure that no one missed anything. I think you have to read the chart to do that. That's what you want in a hospital person, and I don't think it will affect your friendship, she's probably seen it all (in terms of other people's illnesses, not yours specifically).

I'm sorry you're having such difficulty, Amber.

I am sending dust that you feel better soon!

 

[packrat]

She worked in the hospital you were staying in, is that right? First, confidentiality would prevent her from talking to anyone about anything she read in there unless you signed a release for her to do so. When I worked for my Dr. I wasn't even able to talk to my husband about his mom, who was a patient. Dr. delivered both my kids and couldn't tell her own daughter, who was my best friend, anything about it, that I was even there. If your friend was a secretary, I'd be torked having her dig around in someone's chart when technically she had no business, and probably not the knowledge about the medical care, to be doing it. If my friend was an OR nurse, it wouldn't bother me. Nurses do catch things that Dr's miss.

 

[manderz]

I don't think that there's anything to be worried about. Unless your recent admission was directly secondary to substance abuse, it likely would be in a deep, dark corner of the chart, if it's there at all. It's not like there would be a giant, red stamp on the first page with that label. To me, it just sound like your friend wanted to check and make sure that you were getting the best care you could. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

I work in a substance abuse treatment agency, and we are required to abide by privacy regulations for not only HIPAA, but another privacy law specifically for alcohol and substance abuse. If she is half of the ethical practitioner you make her out to be, she would never share anything from your chart. The only thing that would be a concern to me, is if she did find out, how comfortable are you with her knowing about that part of your life?

 

[pregcurious]

I don't think you're being too sensitive. I think if any one of use had a secret like that we were holding from our spouses, we would also be concerned.

It seems, however, that your friend has no intention to say anything. I would leave it alone for many of the reasons cited above.

I'm glad you can at least talk about it online because you need to work it out somehow.

Peace.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Hi,

You said you're going to let this go, and that is fine. Like you, though, I'd be upset and would have felt my privacy had been invaded if my medical records were read by a friend, even if the friend had all best intensions. It's kind of hard to keep that stuff private. It's similar to schools, where info on students spreads around by helpful teachers.

It can be upsetting...as long as you know what was read won't be discussed w/others, then I guess it's not worth the stress.

 

[elizaloo]

Nursing student here and also a 7 year employee of a major city ICU chiming in. Neighbor, friend, family whatever she CANNOT look at your chart unless she is providing DIRECT patient care (Doc, RN, PT/OT, Social Work, Respiratory). If she was not your floor nurse then she had no right to search for you in the computer system and open it to find out information about your hospital stay.

Some hospitals still keep paper charts but they usually only contain telemetry strips and hard copies of consents in them so she shouldn't have been able to randomly 'pick up your chart and read through it'. Gone are the days when the chart hangs off the end of your hospital bed. All of that information is locked up tight within a computer system that tracks EVERYONE who accesses a patient's chart. I would be very surprised if she doesn't hear about this from her manager at some point simply because IT tracks all of that to the point of excess. EVERY click of the mouse is tracked; we are warned that to even look up a patient who gets downgraded and sent off of ICU will trigger an investigation. I have RN's from other floors CALL to find out how a former patient is doing simply because they will get dinged if they look that person up in the system, and even that is technically wrong, they just rely on the fact that they once treated the patient to be 'good enough' to get info.

I'm sure this is not true of ALL hospitals mind you; some may be more "eh, no biggie" if someone outside of direct patient care searches through a chart...but in my hospital and the other two I have worked in will FIRE you unilaterally if you open a chart not relevant to your particular patients. There have been media reports of hospital workers fired because say, Britney Spears checks into their hospital and they insanely go and pull up her chart to see her info....NOT legal and again, a good way to become unemployed.

If it doesn't bother you then of course, no big deal but if that hospital tracks that sort of thing and she herself, under her own log-in looked at your chart, she will find herself answering to her manager sooner or later.

 

[tammy77]

Yes, she could be fired for accessing your chart without a valid reason to do so. That said, I agree with a PP that said she likely wouldn't have mentioned seeing your chart if she had found sensitive info. This is especially true if she's as good of a person as it sounds like. She probably just feels a sense of ownership over your care since she worked hard to get you taken care of.

It would bother me too, but it seems like talking about it would open up a can of worms unless you're SURE that she saw said info. Oh, and usually mental health/drug history/HIV or other STD test info would be sealed in the back of the chart, at least the ones I've worked with.

 

[perry]

I agree, you are being too sensitive.

There is a real problem in this world with all the "Zero Tolerance" rules. It leaves no room for common sense. I am quite sure she was looking out for you as a friend and ensuring that no one was making a major mistake. I doubt that she is even interested in your deep personal medical history. While technically not correct in this Zero Tolerance world; some people still extend professional courtesy to other medical staff who are close friends of a patient. It actually works best for all.

Perry

 

[asscherisme]

I do think you are being too sensitive. But I also think its understandable when you are laid up not feeling well (and I hope you feel better soon!)

I had a similar situation 17 years ago with a nurse friend helping me. I gave birth at the hospital she worked at. In fact she was a labor and delivery nurse there! She was not on shift when I delivered and she and I agreed ahead that if she was working it would be awkward to have her as my nurse (those who have given birth in a hospital know that nurses often get up in there more than the doctors).

Anyway, while she was not my nurse, she did make sure I was watched after and taken care of. She and I have lost touch after several moves on both our parts. Looking back, most likely she did read my chart. It never occurred to me until I read your question. I was just grateful to have her watching out for me.

In a hospital situation, if she did read your chart, it sounds like she has your best interest and just wants to make sure you get the best care. And as an OR nurse, she is definitely trained on confidentiality.

 

[TooPatient]

Amber,

I'm glad you have a caring friend who was able and willing to look out for you when you needed care. She probably didn't see anything in your chart other than current visit and even if she did, she could not mention it to anyone.

I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Trekkie]

Big hugs to you while dealing with this situation. Everyone here has given you great advice but perhaps I can chime in with something which has helped me enormously with my own battles with substance abuse: "Shame and addiction are Siamese twins, the one rarely exists without the other". Shame dies upon exposure - I hope you sharing your feelings here has helped.

 

[Amber St. Clare]

Big hugs to you while dealing with this situation. Everyone here has given you great advice but perhaps I can chime in with something which has helped me enormously with my own battles with substance abuse: "Shame and addiction are Siamese twins, the one rarely exists without the other". Shame dies upon exposure - I hope you sharing your feelings [/b]here has helped.

Yes, talkng abut it here has helpp change my perspective. I'm just a bitt sensitive because when I was working, a nurse from my former dr.faxed MY ENIRE MEDICAL CHART to my then employers. faxx that I would be out for a cetin amont of tme. Once they found out I was bi-plolar they went out of there way t make my life miserable. I had ot file a complailnt with the union. So the privacy aspect really is important to me.

Arthritis prevents me from addressing all of you personally, but thanks for the advice, perspectives and good wishes. And I would never, ever make a complaint to her emloyers. Getting it out here helped tremendously

sorry for any typos

 

[msop04]

Big hugs to you while dealing with this situation. Everyone here has given you great advice but perhaps I can chime in with something which has helped me enormously with my own battles with substance abuse: "Shame and addiction are Siamese twins, the one rarely exists without the other". Shame dies upon exposure - I hope you sharing your feelings [/b]here has helped.

Yes, talkng abut it here has helpp change my perspective. I'm just a bitt sensitive because when I was working, a nurse from my former dr.faxed MY ENIRE MEDICAL CHART to my then employers. faxx that I would be out for a cetin amont of tme. Once they found out I was bi-plolar they went out of there way t make my life miserable. I had ot file a complailnt with the union. So the privacy aspect really is important to me.

Arthritis prevents me from addressing all of you personally, but thanks for the advice, perspectives and good wishes. And I would never, ever make a complaint to her emloyers. Getting it out here helped tremendously

sorry for any typos

Amber, I think you are being too sensitive, but I understand your concern. The chances of your friend reading that far back are slim, since she probably wouldn't think of accessing PMH in your EMR. As far as the nurse faxing your chart to employers... this is shocking -- and illegal. I hope you sued this practice, because you would win. This is a terrible and blatant violation of HIPAA.

Please try not to worry too much about this. Even if she did see something in your chart, she is a professional and your friend. I would just let it go and put it out of your mind as if it never happened.

 

[Indylady]

Even if she did see something in your chart, she is a professional and your friend. I would just let it go and put it out of your mind as if it never happened.

Exactly this!

 

[charleston1]

Yes, I think you are being too sensitive HOWEVER it is totally understandable after what happened with the doctor's office faxing your entire medical file to your ...WOWZA that is horrific.
No wonder you are sensitive about private information. Hugs to you.

 

[pandabee]

Even if she did see something in your chart, she is a professional and your friend. I would just let it go and put it out of your mind as if it never happened.

Exactly this!

Thirded. I don't believe you are being too sensitive, as a few others have already said that yes, technically she is violating HIPAA by looking at your chart for any reason unless she was providing direct patient care to you but from how you described your encounter with her, she just pulled strings to help get you seen faster and not actually treating you. Personally, I would have a conversation with your friend and thank her for her help but at the same time make sure she is aware that "checking up on you" in actually looking at your chart is technically a violation of your privacy but you hope that she will respect it since the action is already done but that you would not feel comfortable if she did that in the future should the situation arise again.

 

[Dee*Jay]

I'm so sorry you're in this uncomfortable and awkward situation. If I were you (for whatever THAT'S worth) I would attempt to carry on the same relationship you had with her before and see if she acts any differently. If not, great, and if so, address it. I don't know enough (anything, really) about hippa or how hospital care works (or is SUPPOSED to work), so I can't address that, but maybe after a couple of interactions beyond this you will be comfortable with your relationship again and it will be a non-issue.

 

[Autumnovember]

Per hospitals that I have worked at:

You are NEVER supposed to look at someones chart unless they are under YOUR care.

I don't think you're being sensitive. I'd be upset. I was hospitalized in march under suspicion of having Lupus and MS. I was in a VERY fragile state of mind at the time and was not sharing info with even close friends about the reason for my hospitalization. I was taking a stroll around the unit one day, turned the corner, and BAM....a girl I graduated HS with was working on the unit next door as a nurse.

I was pretty horrified that she'd go through my chart to find out why I was there. I was informed by my nurse that night, that the hospital has tracking for every user that has access to the charts. Any nurse going into a chart of a patient that isn't theres would face some consequences.

It's is something that is taken seriously in all the places I've worked and done clinicals at.

Now, I don't think your friend was going through it to be nosy but I would still talk to her about it and ask her to please respect your privacy and not speak about anything she read. I wouldn't mention anything specific. She may not have even seen whatever it is that you are worried about. I am hopeful she would understand this and your feelings about it being she is in the medical field and knows how sensitive these kinds of things are to people.

 

[Autumnovember]

I agree, you are being too sensitive.

There is a real problem in this world with all the "Zero Tolerance" rules. It leaves no room for common sense. I am quite sure she was looking out for you as a friend and ensuring that no one was making a major mistake. I doubt that she is even interested in your deep personal medical history. While technically not correct in this Zero Tolerance world; some people still extend professional courtesy to other medical staff who are close friends of a patient. It actually works best for all.

Perry

You'd be pretty surprised, Perry.