HIPAA and paperwork

[EmergencyMedicalTigger]

I haven't been on here in forever! I have some questions about HIPAA and have been googling looking for information to pertain to my specific situation when I remembered emtcity. I used to find some very reliable advice, so I'm back to pick the brains of some people who deal with HIPAA and EMS specifically.

A folded hospital face sheet with patient information was left on the desk at the station during 'A' shift. The oncoming crew from 'B' shift saw the paperwork and left it out on the desk. The 'B' shift lieutenant came in later that day, and, upon seeing the paperwork, picked it up and took it with him. The 'B' shift lieutenant then gave the paperwork to the 'A' shift lieutenant and told him his crew left the paperwork out.

Obviously, the crew on 'A' shift has committed a HIPAA violation, but what about the 'B' shift lieutenant? He took the paperwork from it's station and carried it with him. If anything would have happened to the paperwork while in the lieutenant's possession, would the original crew be held liable?

[island emt]

someone has waay too much time on their hands to think this stuff up,

Bitch slap the folks who left Pt info laying around and suspend the lt for a week for sticking his nose into the other shifts business.

If the paperwork was not anywhere but the desk then it was not a violation.loose control ::yes

[scubanurse]

HIPPA...

[ClutzyEMT]

No.......it's HIPAA.........The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 HIPAA

Sounds to me like someone is trying to hang someone......and I agree with Island....

[ERDoc]

I don't think you will find any precedence for this but you will find lots of opinions. As stupid as it is, it seems like a HIPAA violation on both parts. As you mentioned, crew A gets a violation for leaving protected pt information where it can be accessed by unauthorized individuals. Lt B also could get a violation for having the protected information in a place where it can be accessed by unauthorized individuals. Look at the many cases where a computer or hard drive get stolen from a car. Lt B should have secured the paper to the best of his ability.