Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2746
Health Information Confidentiality
2/21/2009 at 8:47 AM
The point of confidentiality was touched on in another thread recently. It
left me wondering what thoughts everyone here has on the subject. Do you think your personal health information is respected and kept confidential?
Here is what I know:
I know for a fact that some of your personal health information is not kept
confidential. I know things about some people in this town that I should not know. Yes, I do. Bottom line is....people in healthcare yap. (not just healthcare but that's the issue here). "Professionals" that yap about our information should be fired. Never mind the fines. You knew the rules, you should have played by them.
Years ago I sat through the PHIA (Personal Health Information Act)
Seminar...boring, yet necessary. I signed my life away vowing to keep your
information confidential which I did. (I no longer work in healthcare but no matter what the business, I make a point of NOT divulging your information to anyone).
I have my medical chart locked. This does not ensure that your information is kept confidential and certainly does not limit who can read your chart. It does make some healthcare workers question why your chart is locked. I simply state that I know my information is not kept confidential. I say that it doesn't matter if I have a hang nail or a terminal illness-my information should be kept confidential. I make a point of stating that if I find out my information is not kept confidential, I will not hesitate to take action immediately. If nothing else, this is a reminder to the receptionist, the nurse....and yes, the doctor, etc. (If you think doctors keep your information confidential at all times, you are sadly mistaken).
Of course there are healthcare workers who take their positions and the PHIA seriously. I applaud you.
So, in regard to the post in the "Brandon Clinic" thread, I wouldn't worry about the doctors' wives breaching confidentiality. Your health information was never confidential to begin with.
Trust me.
Edited by Hackeda, 2009-02-21 08:49:35