Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule permit hospitals and other health care facilities to inform visitors or callers about a patients location in the facility and general condition?
Yes. Covered hospitals and other covered health care providers can use a facility directory to inform visitors or callers about a patients location in the facility and general condition. The Privacy Rule permits a covered hospital or other covered health care provider to maintain in a directory certain information about patients patient name, location in the facility, health condition expressed in general terms that does not communicate specific medical information about the individual, and religious affiliation. The patient must be informed about the information to be included in the directory, and to whom the information may be released, and must have the opportunity to restrict the information or to whom it is disclosed, or opt out of being included in the directory. The patient may be informed, and make his or her preferences known, orally or in writing. The facility may provide the appropriate directory information except for religious affiliation to anyone who asks for the patien
Related Questions
- Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule permit doctors, nurses, and other health care providers to share patient health information for treatment purposes without the patients authorization?
- Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule permit hospitals and other health care facilities to inform visitors or callers about a patients location in the facility and general condition?
- Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule permit health care providers to obtain an electronic acknowledgment of the notice from individuals?
