Confidentiality in a patient’s health information is very important. It is also the obligation of any health professionals who have access to the information to not expose or disclose any of it to anyone. Confidentiality is also about privacy and respecting someone’s wishes. However, if an RN breaks that, the Board may put you into disciplinary action. Once the Board summons you, you need the help of a nurse attorney for your defense.
At the time of the initial incident, she was employed as an RN at a hospital in Carrollton, Texas, and had been in that position for one (1) year and nine (9) months.
On or about August 24, 2020, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Carrollton, Texas, RN violated patient confidentiality and HIPAA, in that she discussed a student’s medical history, including symptoms and diagnosis, in front of a parent who was not involved with the student’s medical care. RN’s conduct violated patient’s confidentiality.
In response, RN states on August 24, 2020, a female student arrived at the nurse’s office and the health clinic door was propped open since a parent of another student was in the health clinic. RN states the student knocked and RN communicated that she would be with her momentarily. According to RN, as she was letting the parent finish, who was just signing forms at her desk, she opened the door and told the student they could go to the far corner of the office to take care of her medication check in. RN assumed the parent would quickly sign the forms and then leave the office; however, they did not do that. RN states she did not realize the parent was still there until she had been speaking with the student for about 20 seconds. RN explains that she and the student were in the far corner of her office working on the countertop space that was 8 feet from where the parent was standing. RN states she spoke in a regular speaking voice and stayed at the counter the entire time they were talking, with her back to the parent most of the time.
The above action constitutes grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with Section 301.452(b)(10)&(13), Texas Occupations Code, and is a violation of 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.11(1)(A)&(1)(E) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12.(1)(B).
However, without enough evidence to prove she’s not guilty, the RN lost the case. This is the reason why the Texas Board of Nursing placed her RN license under disciplinary action.
Do not be stressed or anxious if you find yourself in a similar situation as that of the RN mentioned above. All you need to do is to find the right RN/LVN license attorney who can help you in the case. Equip yourself with the knowledge and expertise you need for a successful outcome by consulting a knowledgeable and experienced Texas RN/LVN license attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney for various licensing cases for the past 16 years and represented over 300 nurses before the Texas BON. Contact the Law Office of Yong J. An 24/7 through text or call at (832) 428-5679.