I attended AEA approved continued education session last weekend and one of the speakers used her patients names, pictures, vocations and places of employment in her presentation. I do not know if she had their permission or not. But being a member of the minor group she talks about I was offended
And hurt that their medical history information was presented to the public in her presentation. I do not know if Electrolysis medical information is protected under the Hepaa law or not, but as a professional Electrologist please protects your client’s personal information as private! You might be seeing this presentation at a national AEA convention speak up and protect our profession image.
Tori;
I am amazed as yourself that this would take place. Medical Information no mater what profession is protected by HIPAA. This presenter can be subjected to major fines in the least, if not shut down all together. I am so glad that I graduated from a Medical Assisting Program before proceding to electrology, as so much needed information is not presented in the few hours that are required.
I have a spouse who works as a clerk in a drug store, and she was even required to take training in HIPAA, which basically boiled down to do not tell anyone, anything about nothing. Both the individual and the company would be very much at risk of very high fines.
Now in regards to HIPAA, I would like to add, It is possible to pass medical information as long as there are no identification means presented, but if names were given along with the iinformation, that is a certain vilation. This goes so far as to an office situation where people in the waiting room may accidently pick up communication between the client and others in the waiting room.
HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Tori,
HIPAA > Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act.
If you are a member of the the American Electrolysis Association, go to the www.electrology.com and click yourself into the Member Section. There is an article about HIPAA entitled, “Getting a Grip on HIPAA” and how to be HIPAA compliant.
There are downloadable forms for you as well to use in your practice. If you are not a member of the AEA, you should really consider becoming a member. You can participate on the discussion board which can be a lot of fun. This would be a great thing to post on the AEA board. I would offer to copy and paste your post there, but the last time I asked permission to post from this site, it turned into a three-ring circus.