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.
On or about July 2, 2020, while employed as an RN at a hospital in Beaumont, Texas, RN disclosed a patient’s confidential health information to a co-worker in a public setting. Specifically, RN told her co-worker that the patient’s Ativan dosage had to be increased. RN’s conduct was in violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
In response to the above incident, RN admits the HIPAA violation occurred during the same time frame when she was not feeling well due to personal health reasons. She admits she relayed confidential information about a patient to another nurse while inside a public pharmacy.
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)(B),(1)(D)&(1)(E) and 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE §217.12 (1)(A),(1)(B),(1)(C)&(4).
The evidence against the RN was strong. At the same time, she was not able to properly defend her case in court. As a result, her nursing license was placed under disciplinary action.
Avoid the similar thing from happening on your end. Make sure to find the right defense attorney in case a complaint will be filed against you before the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). For more details or for a confidential consultation regarding accusations, it’s best to contact an experienced Texas nurse attorney. Texas Nurse Attorney Yong J. An is an experienced nurse attorney who represented more than 300 nurse cases for RNs and LVNs for the past 16 years. You can call him at (832) 428-5679 to get started or to inquire for more information regarding nursing license case defenses.
