RE: Overhead announcements

[Woloszyn, J William]

Title: RE: Overhead announcements

My comment was intended to illustrate the power of consent language not to link overhead paging to directory information use as outlined by HIPAA.

 

If the patient understands and agrees (signs) consent indicating that 'overhead pages' are permitted (similar to permission to use directory information, which should also be covered in the consent) and that such overhead pages will include identifying information such as name, treatment area, room number, etc., then the institution has permission to do so. If the patient chooses to opt-out, then the institution would need to provide alternative methods - I indicated some we are considering.

 

Wm

-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 13, 2002 8:51 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: Overhead announcements

I'd be cautious about linking to directory. Release of info in directory is to persons who ask for patient by name - a principle that assumes that the requesting party has some reason to believe or direct knowledge that the patient is present in the facility. Paging the patient based on their directory listing would seem to me a broadcast to parties who had no previous knowledge of the patient's presence in facility and no need to know.

 

Our present practice is to page: "The patient in room 2230"

 

Candace Foster
HIPAA Project Team
Tele: (812) 450-7223

-----Original Message-----
From: Woloszyn, J William [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2002 4:12 PM
To: 'Street, Bunny'; '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'
Subject: RE: Overhead announcements

I have two thoughts on this:
1) Overhead page could be covered as directory information on the consent for treatment...if they opted out then use #2 solution.

2) Use pseudo name/code IDs for overhead page or mechanical solution like a restaurant-type pager system.

Bottomline - you have to be able to summons individuals within the facility.

Wm

-----Original Message-----
From: Street, Bunny [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2002 3:03 PM
To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]'
Subject: RE: Overhead announcements

Within our facilities, overhead announcements are made several times a day.
Some of these include such announcements as "Would the family of Mr. X
please return to the Cath Lab holding area"; etc.  Is anyone given any
thought to these types of announcements in relationship to the Privacy
standards?  Thanks,

Leslie Street
Privacy Specialist
Mountain States Health Alliance
Johnson City, TN 36704
423-431-1661
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

**********************************************************************
To be removed from this list, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Please note that it may take up to 72 hours to process your request.

**********************************************************************
To be removed from this list, go to: http://snip.wedi.org/unsubscribe.cfm?list=privacy
and enter your email address.

**********************************************************************
To be removed from this list, go to: http://snip.wedi.org/unsubscribe.cfm?list=privacy
and enter your email address.

**********************************************************************
To be removed from this list, go to: http://snip.wedi.org/unsubscribe.cfm?list=privacy
and enter your email address.

**********************************************************************
To be removed from this list, go to: http://snip.wedi.org/unsubscribe.cfm?list=privacy
and enter your email address.