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Stacy

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Curretnly I am publishing names of resdients and their birthdays in the facility newsletter. My administrator says it's not a problem. We are not disclosing any information that people do not know. Basicly, well all have birthdays, so she doesn't seem to have a problem. Personally, I like that thought. The residents look forward to seeing their names. However, the other homes in our division are split on what to do. The bottom line here is, there is nothing specific (that I can find) in HIPPA regarding this information. Does anybody have any specific information on this? Or a name that I can contact? I am looking for something more than interpretation on this, becasue it seems that all interpretations are different. I am reluctant to go around with a consent for everybody because we have 300 residents, and I do not want to keep recordsof who does or who doesn't want their name in the newsletter. Also, we have too many dementia residents that cannot sign the consent form, and contacting families would be a BIG task. I've tried looking on the HIPPA website, but again, I cannot find what I'm looking for.

 

Any help on this would be greatly appreciation.

 

Stacy :hammer:

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Hi Stacy :-) ,

I too have always used the residents names and birthdays in my newsletters and I have never had any problems with the state surveyors or with Hipaa privacy rules.

I have copies of the US Health and Human Services most commonly asked questions(its about 50 pages long! :-? )and I went through it too as you did on the site and it states that alot of the questions that are asked regarding privacy issues are "professional judgements and interpetations" of the answers given.

Also for the most part, the privacy act pertains to

"medical information,accounting,treatments,etc." and a residents name and birthday are not really " medical information"( but again thats up to each persons interpetation),But on the first page of the Hippa website it states that "Hippa may mean different things to different people".So,basically I haven't helped you a bit :lol: lol !!

Well,maybe Penny or someone else on the site has been in this situation too and can help u out.

;-) gina

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  • 4 weeks later...

hi stacy. like you i also put names and birthdays in the newsletter. There is nothing legally wrong about it under HIPPAA aslong you dont put the year they were born or their age because that can be interpreted as a medical information because birthdates can be use now to identify social security informations and the age, well some elderly are senstive. If you are having a problem about opnions, then those alert residents should be asked permission about having their names and bdays published. And just remember who those residents are. usually, you can tell of the top of your head who has sensitive outlook in these kinds of things. if you need more help send me a mail at krismanzano@activitydirector.com

goodluck

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Hi,

I like the rest of you place res. names & b"date in the newsletter as well as on the b.board in the facility. Like Newbie said as long as the year & age is not posted then there should not be any problems. the only other thing to look at is the res. relgion. I know of a couple who do not celebrate b'days &/or other holidays. (Of course there is always that one surveyor who shows up in a blue moon that questions this, in that case I would challenge them on this. Show me the written words that are specific to this topic, must say b'day privacy etc.. in it! How do you like those cookies ha-ha) Usually as far as the concent form most res. &/or family members sign one up on admission. check with your admission office & see what they have in the paks. If they don't have one that covers this as well as res. pictures being posted/published then maybe you see about getting one in there.

I would also ask the admission staff to please make me a copy of consent form on all new admits.

Another thing to add to the admission pak is your monthly caledar.

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Thanks.

 

We do not have a consent for this. I know we won't have a problem with our long term residents, but it is for our Medicare residents. I'm thinking of taking them out of the newsletter. With an average of 20 residents admitted a week, it would be hard to track. But, I know many residents like to see that they have been recognized. I guess I will continue putting the names and bday's in the newsletter, and the other homes will have to go with what their administrator says, since interpretation is vague.

 

:lol:

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Guest Guest

HIPPA-

 

Stacy,

 

Hi, I think that I can help you on this one. I am an ADC in GA and I am currently teaching several courses regarding HIPPA and activity directors.

 

Here goes-

 

On bulletin boards you can print birthdays and resident names on the board given the following:

 

1) On admit, they or a responsible party signed a transmit waiver ( this could be called something different in your area) this document will state that the facility can use basic information for bulletin boards, calendars, charts etc. This is also the easiest way to avoid HIPPA.

 

2) You can de-personalize the information regarding residents. In your case, you can use the birthdate without the actual year. Also, if your residents are in a dementia unit that may have a special name, omit that information as well.

 

Please feel free to contact me with further questions. My new e mail is: bigchris1974@hotmail.com

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