HIPPA and talking with family caregivers

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (PL 104–191), known as HIPAA, has confused and unnecessarily alarmed many conscientious health care providers. Nurses in particular are likely to be on the front line of family caregivers' inquiries, because physicians are often difficult to reach and because family caregivers look to nurses as sources of reliable information. A major retraining of health care providers at all levels is needed to dampen the “HIPAA scare” and clarify what HIPAA does and does not say about communication with family caregivers.

Writing in the August 2006 American Journal of Nursing, the author clarifies communication guidelines between nurses and family caregivers under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

To read the full article:
Levine C. HIPAA and talking with family caregivers: what does the law really say?
Am J Nurs. 2006 Aug;106(8):51-3. PMID: 16905933

Other HIPPA websites of interest:
NIH - HIPPA Privacy Rule
Library of Congress links to the Law via Thomas
Health and Human Services HIPPA general information
Health and Human Services Office of Human Rights HIPPA information