Re: [Cnm] release to discuss patient

[Guest guest]

The quick answer is " it depends " . HIPPA led to development of an

entirely new industry; the HIPPA consultant. These are folks who make

a pretty good living by coming up with all sorts of hoops clinicians

have to jump through to " Meet HIPPA " .

The privacy component of HIPPA does have provisions that are intended

to NOT impede care. If clinicians have a need to know protected health

information (PHI) in order to treat a patient then they can talk to

others without a release. Typically, hospitals have patients sign a

sort of general release on admission, just in case. The way that

information is shared is important. While you have the right to

communicate with others, you have the responsibility to make sure the

information is shared securely. That means no faxing if the fax is in

an area accessible by those who do not have the right to know. You

should not talk on the phone in the middle of the cafeteria or in a

hallway. If you require information for a clinical reason there is no

need to access information not germane to that need.

Pam Charney, PhD, RD

Pamela Charney and Associates, LLC

consultants in nutrition informatics

Transforming Nutrition Care With Informatics

pcharney@...

http://www.linkedin.com/in/pamcharney

> Quick question…when a patient is in your care, isn’t it a general

> rule that you can talk to other current and past caregivers to

> provide the best care? Or is it required to get a release from the

> patient to discuss him/her? Just curious.

>

> Collier, RD

> Leader of Clinical Nutrition

> <image001.png>

> 4600 Spotsylvania Parkway

> Fredericksburg, VA 22408

> leslie.collier@...

>

>