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HIPPA - Distraught

Posted: Feb 28, 2010

I've just received a call from my supervisor advising me that because I cc'd the wrong physician on a report, that it is a HIPPA violation and I have been given a warning that if it happens again I am going to be fired. I've been doing this job for 35 yrs and I have an excellent work history, ethic, etc. I realize that HIPPA is very important and I "get it". But if I lose my job over a lousy cc? I'm devastated by this. What has transcription come to? I'm at a loss..... ;(

Don't worry....... - Kiki

[ In Reply To ..]
Unless they really are grasping at straws to come up with good reasons to fire people, but they won't do it for this one time.

First of all, I will say that I think it is unfair/ridiculous to put this responsibility on MTs for the correct cc. If it is so important (and it is) then the facility themselves need to be responsible for this. I'm sick of them brushing this responsibility off on us. In reality, MQ would be the one with the HIPPA violation, not you, although they could still fire you if they wanted, but I wouldn't worry about getting fired for THAT.

Here's what I do to protect myself from this unfair responsibility: Unless the dictator requesting the cc states the full name and I'm 100% sure it's the correct cc, I will manually add the cc. The only way YOU can send a cc is by using that database, and I use it as less often as possible. Yes, I know it takes a little more time, not much though, for the piece of mind you get.

So, do this from now on and you at least won't have to worry about getting the boot for THIS particular reason.

HIPAA. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ... listed in - employer policies and procedures.

[ In Reply To ..]
or in any communication.

HIPAA - A can of worms

[ In Reply To ..]
How on earth can you get fired or even fined for that matter for something you aren't even paid to do??? This is hogwash...but if in doubt, leave it blank or type in manually exactly what the physician dictates. Let someone else who DOES GET PAID for filling it in do it. That way, you're off the hook. That's what I do. I refuse to waste my time doing something that is totally nonproductive and not adding to my paycheck and possibly creating a HIPAA violation.

Leave a QA note. Let the hospital figure it out. - This is crazy.

[ In Reply To ..]
We are not mind readers and who is to say if the MD spells the name and gives the address, but it still ends up being the wrong cc person--we all know how informative the dictators can be. Then we are still to blame from their error?

It is a shame.

I also work in a small hospital but we are not being hung out to dry over this HIPAA stuff. Not sure why the big difference between MQ and the hospitals.

But leave a QA marker or just a QA note and let the hospital decide just who the heck it is.

And I wonder who are they gonna blame when they - eliminate all the MTs?

[ In Reply To ..]
This is too much any more. Way too much. If privacy is such a huge issue, then eliminate the offshoring because there is NO control overseas, and at least that would keep us in work until EMR takes all the jobs.

I agree with Kiki and Can of worms - Dinosaur

[ In Reply To ..]
I also only put in a full name if given by dictator, otherwise I type it in manually. I also agree we don't get paid for this, but the company charges the client for this service. Below is the link for the HIPAA site. Maverick and I have been reading this in our spare time for weeks now. There is a lot of information here. MQ only gave us the scar tactic version. They left out quite a bit of information, including they as a company would be held responsible first, and it is quite possible it would trickle down to MTs, that fact that we are not paid for this may give us a point in which to fight fines, etc. It may even come down to MTs not longer having to do this service for free. Also doctors and hospital staff are also held responsible, something MQ left out in their video and test. The point is we may have options if faced with fines and termination. From what I have read so far on the HIPAA site, I am not sure they can fire you unless the hospital seeks fines.

I see you have been on the job for 35 years, you too are nearing retirement. Type in manually, leave a QA note and leave it to those who get paid to do it (the hospitals). You are more than welcome to join Shipwrecked, Bunion, Sunshine MT, myself and others on our South Pacific retirement home. I have a hut with your name on it.

http://www.hipaa.org/

Your hut in Paradise

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/Photography/Images/POD/m/moorea-dolphins-513845-sw.jpg

LOL - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I almost always just use "new" function. Saves my butt. I may get a point off or something, but better that than the HIPAA boom....

HIPPA - Distraught

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks fellow MT friends for the tips and comments. Woke up crying in the middle of the night over this. I look forward to that retirement hut. When does the next boat leave? Thanks again ;)

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