How does HIPAA affect a nurse’s authority to disclose immunization information to a physician?
The parameters of a school nurse’s ability to disclose health information about a student directly to a physician are dictated by the provisions of The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and not by HIPAA. Therefore, the analysis in question three (3) does not apply when a school nurse discloses information to a physician. Under FERPA, a school nurse generally is not permitted to disclose immunization information to a physician without consent. However, with consent, a school nurse is free to communicate directly with a physician regarding immunization information. Therefore, school nurses should consider seeking consent on an annual basis from a student’s parent or guardian to share information with physicians concerning immunizations.
