It certainly is frustrustrating that so many lactation advocates, like
Lynne, are trying to acquire the hours and training they need, to no avail.

A hospital administrator told the one willing-to-mentor IBCLC that HIPAA was
a stumbling block to such an arrangement.

Phooey.

The Mentor can have the Trainee sign a "business associate agreement" with
her, in which the Trainee agrees to abide by all the privacy protections
required of the Mentor and Hospital by HIPAA (and the IBLCE Code of Ethics,
to boot).

This is standard HIPAA procedure.  There are dozens of situations where a
third party (who is not a direct employee of the hospital) has a legitimate
right to be in the hospital, and bumping into all that private information
about patients.   For example, some institutions hire biling and coding
experts to come in and work their computer magic ... or electricians to fix
the lights  ... or childbrith educators to teach a class.

These people all fulfill an important functions to keep the institution
running smoothly ... they just have to promise to keep mum about any of the
patients.  And that is what a HIPAA business associate contract is designed
to do:  get you to promise, in writing, to keep mum.

Liz Brooks, JD, IBCLC - who spoke on HIPAA and the IBCLC at ILCA 2004
Wyndmoor, PA, USA

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