Do medical patients have any sort of privacy rights?

Question

I went to an immediate care clinic after I had fallen and hurt my head.

The nurse punched in my SS number and date of birth. Next she asked about my medications. I told her I was not currently on any meds.

Then she asked "So you don't take adderall anymore?"

I had had an adderall perscription within the last year, but I did not like taking it so I threw out the bottle.

How did she even know I was taking adderall? Is there one computer system that ties together all your medical records? So any RN can punch in someone's SS number and see all the medications they'd ever been prescribed.

Do I have ANY privacy? It feels like Big Brother is watching.

Suppose I have a friend that is an RN. Suppose she gets board one day and punches in my info, then she could see all my medical history and all the meds I am taking.

What is the world coming to?

Answer 1

Could be the clinic is owned or operated by the same place where the Dr that gave you the scrip is employed. I dont know the situation or who you saw for that but many hospitals and clinics are corporate owned so they share information with their sister facilities. The only way to prevent it is dont go to the dr.....ever. Thats not a good idea but its the only way. Now because of HIPA or as I like to call the SHHHHH law supposedly the penalty for misuse of that info is pretty bad. I dont think HIPA changed the way we in EMS do things at all but apparently its more costly to breach confidentiality. Truthfully you really dont have privacy inside the medical institution. Cases are discussed among coworkers all the time. I personally dont take any of it outside where I work but any system for privacy is only as good as the people giving you the care's ability to keep it to themselves.

Our privacy statement states that we will not give out your information to anyone except for treatment or billing purposes without your express written consent, but we have no control over where it goes once its released.

Answer 2

and if  she/he did do that they could be fired that is a violation of hippa

Answer 3

Yes, they can! om medication anyway! It's for your own safety. Some meds don't interact with other stuff. But, you are right! They don't need your DNA to find out anything about you! All they need is your SS number! But, there's one thing I would ask her, is this site you got my medical information from - SECURE!? If this is an OPEN site, anyone can hack into it, and there goes all your privacy!

Answer 4

I am not sure of the name but there is a medical information network, that has information on patients, that are placed by your medical insurance benefit company, Some Doctors, and hospitals, and Pharmacies. The idea was to prevent insurance fraud, etc.

Answer 5

In all likelihood, you filled out a form that provided your consent for the nurse to access your records. Without your consent, under HIPPA, no one lawfully has access to your medical records.

Drug interactions and allergies are real, and can be dangerous or fatal.

It is only sensible that ERs and clinics have access to your medical records to ensure your safety against interactions and allergies.

Imagine a scenario where you were brought to a clinic semi- or unconscious, and were unable to communicate that you had a severe allergy to a particular common medication?

Answer 6

It depends.  A lot of hospitals and pharmacies are linking now so that they can easily pull your records.  It is to help you, not to harm you, though, and it's not like I could go up and get your records, it has to be a doctor or their staff that is participating in your medical care.  Imagine if you were hit by a car and brought into the ER unconscious.  You had forgotten your wallet that day, so you had no information on you, but they were able to pull your records and realized that you were allergic to, let's say shellfish.  Because they knew about that allergy, when they sent you for the MRI with contrast they knew they could not give you the kind of contrast that would kill you.  Had they not known that, they would have given you the contrast and your already battered body would have been pushed into shock once again, possibly the stress would be too much and you would die.  Would you rather they not have shared records?

Answer 7

They can look into that database when you go for medical treatment.

They can look into that database when you apply for medical insurance.

Otherwise its totally illegal for anyone to look in there without your consent.

Answer 8

Yes, you have privacy rights. Is the Immediate Care Clinic affiliated with your regular clinic or hospital? If so, the nurse has access to your those medical records. This is useful so that they know about prior conditions and previous medications. There can be serious interaction affects between different meds -- some of which can be deadly.

Hopefully your friend has more integrity than to look up your records. Even so, I avoid giving my Social Security number to anyone except my employer and the IRS.  

Answer 9

This is not invasion of privacy when it is within the medical industry. They are trying hard to tie all meds together in a system, to cut down on OD's and drug interactions with other drugs. It is to safe guard the patient. So be happy they know. Look at the people we hear about that mix drugs and don't realize they become toxic when mixed.

I do understand the feeling of everything seeming to be watched and dictated. But this is one area "Big Brother" is right.  

Answer 10

Medical records that are in the Medical Information Bank (MIB) may contain information about your lifestyles, if you smoke or drink, and may go as far as to contain your family history. It also contains if you have seen a psychologist or a chiropractor. They contain medications that you have been prescribed. The report will also show general information about you, height, weight, X-rays that you have had, or other medical tests you have been through.

Insurance companies can access your medical records to see if you have an existing condition. Or if you are applying for insurance, such as life insurance, they can request a copy of your medical records. Government agencies can get a copy if you are applying for a government program.

Their is something called HIPAA(its all those forms you sign when you first see a doctor) It explains your privacy rights. READ IT!

A nurse or any health care practitioner should NOT look at your medical information under HIPAA guidelines unless they are doing work related to your case. But in reality, COME ON! If you had access to Micheal Jacksons medical file, wouldn't you want to take a peek?

So it happens but is not suppose to. If you can get proof that someone accessed your medical information that didnt have proper reason  you can sue that medical facility.