You're violating their confidentiality

My comment that "I take care of heart patients and stroke patients and dementia patients," got me in trouble.

I was not at work but just out and around when someone asked me what kind of people I take care of.

I sometimes resent telling people the tasks I perform at work which is private to me even this though is not against any laws unless you identify your patient.

I was amazed to meet people who don't know what the right to privacy involves and think that you're just not supposed to discuss your job. Last edit by Joe V on Sep 18, '13 : Reason: formatting
What do you mean, it "got you in trouble"?

Quote from AltraWhat do you mean, it "got you in trouble"?

Quote from SaiderapI "got in trouble" with that woman who said I violated patient confidentiality. I meant that I ended up getting into an argument with her and she was not impressed with me at all.I'm sure she finally figured out that she could not get me in trouble with the state board.

Ok, I am totally confused. You got into trouble with whom?Someone asked you what type of work you did and you replied "I work with ABC & D type patients" and this someone told someone else and you got into trouble over that?I work with Cardiac and Surgical patients. Now can some please explain to me how I just violated someones HIPAA or privacy.Now I if said "Yeah, I work in a Cardiac Unit and I just took care of Brad Pitt", I totally get the HIPAA/Privacy issue's..Seems to me that way too many people are looking for easy cash and trouble these days.

Being in trouble is a gross exageration.The type of patients I care for can easily be determined by reading by business card...or the monogram on my lab coat.

Quote from SaiderapI "got in trouble" with that woman who said I violated patient confidentiality. I meant that I ended up getting into an argument with her and she was not impressed with me at all. I'm sure she finally figured out that she could not get me in trouble with the state board.

What kind of people do you take care of? "People that are ill".Do not over-engage anyone who is baiting you to see what you will say. If you are out and about on your off time, "I make it a habit not to discuss work. So, how are you? What's new in your world?......"Anyone believes that they have the "power" to report the most mundane conversations. Now that you know that this person is searching for a reason to make your life miserable, cut bait and move on.

Quote from SouthernPointOk, I am totally confused. You got into trouble with whom?Someone asked you what type of work you did and you replied "I work with ABC & D type patients" and this someone told someone else and you got into trouble over that?I work with Cardiac and Surgical patients. Now can some please explain to me how I just violated someones HIPAA or privacy.Now I if said "Yeah, I work in a Cardiac Unit and I just took care of Brad Pitt", I totally get the HIPAA/Privacy issue's..Seems to me that way too many people are looking for easy cash and trouble these days.

Don't over-think this. The woman is full of it, and rude besides. I wouldn't rent her any more free space in my head if I were you.

Pfffffftttt. To that woman, not you.

Where I work, I have to get a good patient history pre-op. We ask all the usual questions, going through all the systems. I could tell this woman was really annoyed to answer the questions. My boss was starting her IV, I was doing the interview. Finally, she said "all these questions are none of your business and are a violation of HIPAA."Good grief.

Quote from HorseshoeWhere I work, I have to get a good patient history pre-op. We ask all the usual questions, going through all the systems. I could tell this woman was really annoyed to answer the questions. My boss was starting her IV, I was doing the interview. Finally, she said "all these questions are none of your business and are a violation of HIPAA."Good grief.