Re: Whistleblower Protection?

More | Report Post

Ann: Check out
www.firstgov.gov/
Check under the no fear act.
Not up to speed on it.
Might help.

On 3/17/08, Ann wrote:
> 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?