Posted by Ann on 3/17/08

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I work for a healthcare center, and was in the middle of a
situation involving another employee. The employee had
been using the emergency center to get prescriptions for
painkillers, so much that her chart was flagged for
possible med-seeking behavior. They called me in to talk
to her, and I suggested that they stop giving her medicine
and send her to her family doctor since emergency areas
aren't for chronic management of pain anyway. In the end,
there was a confrontation between her and the doctor which
made the doctor uncomfortable because she appeared to be
stoned, likely on the stuff she got from the doctor, and
she was on the clock at that time. The doctor told me to
call her supervisor at work, and I wouldn't do this
because it violates patient confidentiality rules. I've
learned since then that one of the health center
administrators did call the employee's supervisor, and
while I understand the worry about having an employee
under the influence at work, I also know that she has a
legitimate prescription from the doctor and that the
doctor knew the concerns about her being addicted when he
prescribed it. In any case, I don't see how any of that
removes the healthcare center from its HIPPA obligations,
and I think the administrator abused the healthcare
center's dual role of health care provider and employer by
contacting the employee's supervisor. But I'm afraid to
say anything because I don't think there's any protection
for my job if I do. Since HIPPA is federal, would I fall
under whistleblower protections?

Re: US LAW CONSULTANTS criminal civil , 3/31/08, by Jenn.

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