I work in a rural community hospital HIS dept. One of the clerical staff reads medical records aloud to other employees in the department, makes comments on the content. One of the records belonged to a fellow co workers mother who had come into our ER and expired. The second incident recently was a gunshot wound. This staff member seeks out these records and reads them with great relish, asking some of the nurse coders what certain diagnoses mean.
This has been reported to the departmental manager who also happens to be the compliance officer. The HIS member who first reported these incidents was told, "oh I know she reads the records." The second incident was reported by another department member who heard the information second hand. She was advised by the manager, "The person who hears this should report it to me."
My question is this, is this inappropriate behavior as the member reading the records does not have a 'need to know' this information. Her position is clerical and her duties include putting records together and in order.
Should we be concerned? If so where do we go with this from here?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
This has been reported to the departmental manager who also happens to be the compliance officer. The HIS member who first reported these incidents was told, "oh I know she reads the records." The second incident was reported by another department member who heard the information second hand. She was advised by the manager, "The person who hears this should report it to me."
My question is this, is this inappropriate behavior as the member reading the records does not have a 'need to know' this information. Her position is clerical and her duties include putting records together and in order.
Should we be concerned? If so where do we go with this from here?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.