So let’s talk about this….because I think there is an obvious disconnect between what ppl learn in school, what is clinically relevant and why the hospital should probably talk more about HIPPA in hospital orientation. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES is it ever ok to go nosing around in a chart because the case looks interesting. If you have ZERO medical necessity to be in that chart, you should never OPEN IT!! I realize that this case got a TON of media attention. As a medical professional though, it’s our JOB to protect everyone’s medical information with the same confidentiality as we would want our chart to be treated.
I remember a similar situation arose when Britney Spears was hospitalized a long time ago at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. People literally opened her medical chart to read about her psychiatric illness because they were NOSY. I mean really…srsly??! If you are not a psych nurse taking care of Britney, you CANNOT OPEN HER CHART. PERIOD! I am not sure why ppl thought it was ok to open Jussie Smollett’s chart. Perhaps they didn’t understand digital forensics. For every chart you open, Big Brother is ALWAYS watching.
Remember, every EMR can track who, what, when and how long you are in every chart you open. If you have no reason to be in a chart, you will be red-flagged…particularly on such a high profile case such as this. In addition, same name look-ups are also a HUGE NO-NO!!. I realize you don’t want to wait the extra 3-4 days before hearing your results from your regular PCP, but you CANNOT look up your own medical results. This is another huge RED FLAG in the EMR & it can potentially get you fired. Oh, and btw, if you are posting anything about any case on social media you can also get fired. I know several nurses who have posted about a trauma case and got fired for it. The bottom line is, with everyone having a smart phone with a recording device in their hand, taking pics or posting has become second nature. However, when you work in the medical profession, you should always ask yourself before posting, "how would I feel is I saw my partially amputated digit of my brother posted on the internet" Posting on social media has become such a pressing subject, that many hospital attorneys have created policy and procedures about such.
Bottom line, learn from others mistakes and even if your curious, DON’T DO IT!! It could cost you your job and no breach of confidentiality of worth it. HIPPA is real, and so are those that enforce it.
-Emergency Trauma Mama