Re: Nurses

[Guest guest]

kim,

is ultram a controlled substance? my only experience with doctors and nurses giving me a hard time about medication refills goes back to when i lived in charlotte and i tried to get my ativan refilled. she gave me the 3rd degree, insinuating that i was taking more than i was suppose to and even suggesting that i had prescriptions from more than one doctor. i don't know what the nurse's problem was. i was only taking what was prescribed. i promptly switched doctors. i don't suggest you do that, but i would mention it to my doctor, if i were you, and let him know that only you are aware of your pain level, no one else, and that you'd like your word taken for it.

huggies,

lindy lou

Hey everyone. I has an odd experience with my rheumatologist's nurse. I called in to get my ultram refilled so I could make it to my first check up next Friday. (BTW--While it helps some, I'm still in major pain most of the day. I'm hoping to get it switched out and have him check my meds.) They called my husband who took last Friday off, and he in turn gave me their message to call the nurse. I called back I told her what I wanted, and how much because I didn't want to have extra pills sitting around if he is going to switch me on Friday, and that I was taking 8 a day, what THEIR office recommended. She said she would leave a message with my husband then if there were any difficulties in filling the prescription. I said okay, but I thought that statement odd. She then turned right around and called my husband, and did twenty questions about my pain and how I was dealing with it. I thought this was very unprofessional. I feel like she didn't believe me when I said that I hurt. Is it common to have experiences like this? Does anyone have any advise for what to do if it happens again? And, do I tell the doctor what happened or do you think the nurse was directed to say all that?Thanks much!Kim

[Guest guest]

Now see all there is a reason for me to become a nurse.... lol am in College for my RN in case some don't know.... it is to help those in need and not be that way with them... who else knows more about their pain.. then them eh?? hugs you all

Huggles you lots

Sophia

-------Original Message-------

From: mates mate

Date: 11/27/04 19:34:20

[Guest guest]

Kim,

I am also an RN, and this scenario is very suprising to me, given the

fact that HIPPA rights are now always disclosed to patients by their

physicians. Unless you gave your physician's office permission to

discuss your medical condition with your husband or he is your legal

guardian or has power of attorney for you, this looks like a clear-

cut case of HIPPA violation, and I would discuss this with my

physician and the office manager at my physician's office ASAP. I

work as a medical legal consultant and keep vast amount of privileged

medical information at my office and am well aware of the legal

implications should I violate someone's privacy, which is punishable

by fines and/or imprisonment. Here is a link to a site which outlines

HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996)

which was amended in 2002 and 2003: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

You should take the time to look through the site and read about your

rights to privacy as a patient, which I believe have been violated. I

am quite shocked that this nurse would behave so unprofessionally,

while also placing herself and her employer at risk for a lawsuit.

Like I said, unless you gave your physician permission in writing to

discuss your medical condition with your husband, this nurse was WAY

out of line and broke the law.

Kim W.

[Guest guest]

Kim: You most defiantly should tell the doctor. That Nurse's behavior was very un professional.. and with the New Confidentiality law's she has no right discussing you or your health problems with anyone with out you written approval.. Gentle Hug's Marie Marie A. Roomsburg pretty_n_cute2002@... marieava@...