My beta from Monday was sent to our other location instead of the one where I work. At my office my medical assistant and the Dr I work with knew about the BFP and that was it. Labs automatically print, even if we've pulled the result manually. One of the staff from the other office called my MA yesterday and asked if I was pregnant, and my MA asked why and she said they had the lab. So my MA said yes (well obviously, you said yourself you had the lab result) but don't say anything.
The other MA said, "too late, everybody knows". Now I wasn't ready to say anything to the whole office. I'm sorta pissed, but don't want to make a huge deal about it (don't want anyone to have consequences over it) but I think there obviously needs to be some discussion of HIPPA and discretion especially when it comes to an employee.
The thing is I'm not sure if my manager even knows, my Dr was at the other office yesterday and he didn't hear it from anyone (of course he knew already) so it was probably all the staff gossiping to each other. I guess I'll call my manager and tell her/see if she knows and discuss my concerns about the way the staff handled it.
Thoughts? Would you be mad or do you think its not a big deal?
ETA: HIPAA not HIPPA ; )
Re: Beta sent to the wrong office and outed me
IVF #1 - BFP (6dt)
Unassisted Pregnancy #2 - lost at 15w6d due to T21, severe heart defects, and fetal hydrops
I would be upset....What if it was some other kind of bloodwork? Would they spread that around as well? I would definitely say something.
This! If you had wanted to tell them, you would have! Just because you happen to work there doesn't mean you don't have a right to keep information private!
I think it definitely warrants a discussion... they could really get themselves into trouble!
This. This. This. Except there might be other words stronger than Hopping!
ALL of this!
And I'd just like to point out that it's HIPAA, not HIPPA. It's a huge pet peeve of mine when medical professionals don't spell it correctly. lol
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act = HIPAA
TTC #2 with PCOS since September 2009
BFP, Femara 7.5mg, Ovidrel, IUI. Beta #1 17dpIUI -495 Beta #2 19dpIUI-1031
Lovebugs2012
My Blog
That is 100% HIPAA violation. I wouldn't want anyone to get into trouble over it but I sure as heck would say something about it. Sometimes we have coworkers who are in labor or their family who are in labor. I am aware of it but I make sure not to mention it to other coworkers because it won't be ME who violates privacy laws.
Yes- you can be mad for sure!
I'm with Reems. There's no excuse for that. If they are careless with your results they'll be worse with patients' privacy. Definitely warrants discussion AND warnings on their records. Stinks you have to be the reason that happens.
This.
NOT cool.
This.
NOT cool.
There are no words to describe how raging mad I would be. That is PRIVATE, medical information they spread around your office. I would definitely be talking to someone.
I'm constantly amazed at the lack of professionalism in the medical community...present company excluded, I'm sure!
.
Yep, I'd be super, super, super pissed.
There is no excuse for that...none at all.