I have not seen the explanation of HIPAA the way I was trained on it in my county:

 

It is to protect health information from reaching those who have no business getting it (neighbor - hearing about a case in an elevator, co-worker seeing a name on a list in a computer or a wall sign, a relative reading the chart).  AND to allow the patient to access his/her own medical information.  HOWEVER, those who are treating and BILLING have no problem exchanging information:

 

 From the hipaa website: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

 

To make sure that your information is protected in a way that does not interfere with your health care, your information can be used and shared:

 For your treatment and care coordination

 To pay doctors and hospitals for your health care and help run their businesses

 With your family, relatives, friends or others you identify who are involved with your health care or your health care bills, unless

you object

 To make sure doctors give good care and nursing homes are clean and safe

 To protect the public's health, such as by reporting when the flu is in your area

 To make required reports to the police, such as reporting gunshot wounds

 

For this reason I was told I CAN share information with an MD and he/she with me, as we are sharing in the “treatment and care coordination”.   In the course of my “orientation” to my services I do inform the mother that the plan is to send her and her baby’s doctor a summary of our visit and plan.  I’ve never had a mom refuse this, often as there is a language issue (I speak Spanish fluently), they are relieved that I will be providing information to the MD and they don’t have to try to explain my findings to their doctor.  

 

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC

 


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