What is the name of your state? Colorado
I was working for the only large local hospital, while caring for a patient I asked her if she did any prescription or street drugs. The next day I find out she called the Doctor and complained about me asking that and the Doctor complained to the hospital management. The hospital charged I violated HIPAA law and only the Doctor is allowed to ask privacy questions to pts. I was fired, told I can never work at that hospital again because I violated HIPAA law. The previous week they had offered me a permanent position at this hospital, and I have an excellent record. I called the HIPAA hotline and was told I was a covered entity, and I did nothing done wrong. I also called the Office of Civil Rights and was told the same thing. Other RNs do this at the hospital while admitting patients too. I have never seen any written policy that only the Doctor can ask questions and reading through the HIPAA I signed it stated covered entities are entitled to oral communications with patients in a healthcare setting. The hospital refused to let me apoligize to the Doctor and refuses to give me in writing the reason for termination. The nursing agency agreed to give me a letter stating my violation, but they haven't yet (3 days only have passed). This firing means for me that I have to drive 70 miles to another hospital to work and lose the health insurance through this agency which is very good. Should I fight this with a lawyer?
Thanks!
I was working for the only large local hospital, while caring for a patient I asked her if she did any prescription or street drugs. The next day I find out she called the Doctor and complained about me asking that and the Doctor complained to the hospital management. The hospital charged I violated HIPAA law and only the Doctor is allowed to ask privacy questions to pts. I was fired, told I can never work at that hospital again because I violated HIPAA law. The previous week they had offered me a permanent position at this hospital, and I have an excellent record. I called the HIPAA hotline and was told I was a covered entity, and I did nothing done wrong. I also called the Office of Civil Rights and was told the same thing. Other RNs do this at the hospital while admitting patients too. I have never seen any written policy that only the Doctor can ask questions and reading through the HIPAA I signed it stated covered entities are entitled to oral communications with patients in a healthcare setting. The hospital refused to let me apoligize to the Doctor and refuses to give me in writing the reason for termination. The nursing agency agreed to give me a letter stating my violation, but they haven't yet (3 days only have passed). This firing means for me that I have to drive 70 miles to another hospital to work and lose the health insurance through this agency which is very good. Should I fight this with a lawyer?
Thanks!