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Definitely no HIPAA in India, just came upon surgery sheet with patient names!

Posted By: paintyper on 2007-12-30
In Reply to:

I just googled a term, and up comes a surgery schedule with all the patients' names and phone numbers. Yikes.....


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Surgery in India
I saw a clip on TV a while back about this.  It followed an American woman who had a hip replacement.  She was very pleased with her care and the outcome, and the price.
patient names
This is a problem that I am currently struggling with. My accounts are not 'searchable' and some docs don't spell out the patient's names. I have QC'd these many times with a note AND my e-mail address asking QC if I should be sending all these reports to them minus the patient's name, or send it to them GUESSING the spelling, or just spell the names phonetically and NOT QC them. About 15 requests now, and NO REPLY!! Very frustrating!!! Otherwise, the account is really good. I am new, so did not realize that other platforms gave credit for footers, headers, etc. I know on DQS you get a fair line count on just the body of the report. Don't know about the rest.
Patient Names
You'd be surprised how many facilities have the patient's name on the report. Its not that uncommon. Depends on the facility and the company you work for.
Patient's names
Especially when the name has a funny spellling and I keep going back to the header to see how to spell it!!
Can you copy the patient names in

the My Documents program in Windows XP?  I would love to be able to print out the list to give to the doctors so that they have it to correlate with the reports I give them.  I have no idea how to do this, or even if it is possible.   


Thank you.


 


OP was referring that patient names
being accessible/available to others was in conflict with HIPAA rules. Just stating that they are not and giving examples.
venting re foreign patient names
I just typed a long report where the patient has some weird foreign name so it's difficult to tell gender. The doc dictates as a male throughout, i.e. he, his etc. At the end changes it to a female.
Can't read patient's names - need suggestions
Where I work, we receive a faxed schedule each day of the patient's names, but is very, very hard to read.  The clinic is not very cooperative AT ALL in changing this, even though we are using a magnifying glass to try to read.  Every time we spell name wrong it is returned as an error.  Any suggestions on what we can do on our part to rectify this?   
send list of patient names
what if you added a page with a list of patient's name that were being sent in file. You could just add names to list as you typed each report. Don't think it would take too long, just a copy and paste. At least there would be some documentation of what was being sent in file.
The place I work for went from no patient names at all to
now it is accepted and used all the time. Go figure!
How is keeping a patient database on your personal computer HIPAA compliant?

I would love an effortless line counting program too, but...


 


Just curious if anyone has investigated that issue with this software.


Maybe a stat stat because patient is going to surgery or being transferred somewhere immediately? nm
s
I was transcribing a surgery once, the surgery was over and the doctor was dictating
from anesthesia yet.  Anyway, the surgeon dictating stopped dictating and said "Hey Mary - is this one big enough for you?"  It was obvious he was talking about the patient's PENIS!  I thought HOW EMBARRASSING!  I hope they didn't make fun of my anatomy when I got my tubes tied!
New job first, save sick time, then surgery or surgery first?

I’d like to go back to medical secretary work.  I’ve had cortisone shots in my ECU tendon 3 or 4 times and was warned not to have too many or my tendon could rupture.  It’s been very weak for a year or so and my left wrist is smaller than my right wrist.  I can’t type at all with my left pinky so I think it’s ruptured.  I have Word auto correct and Instant Text set up so I very seldom type As, Qs, or Zs.  I haven’t had surgery because I have my own account, no subs, a DD in college to support, and no disability insurance and didn’t want to take time off work for surgery.  I do have medical insurance though my DH. 


 


I’m debating whether to get a job, save up sick time, and have the surgery while getting sick time pay or have the surgery first without any sick time pay.


 


I’ve done medical secretary work before.  I figured if I use Word there I can save their Auto Correct and transfer mine.  If they use EMR, I can make my own shorts to stay away from Q, S and Z.  I could only accept a job where I don’t type for more than an hour straight, which is what I do now.  Then I started worrying about what if I have to use someone else’s computer?  What if I unexpectedly have to type more than an hour?


 


I think I have cold feet about getting a job outside the home after over 7 years at home AND I’ve had cold feet about having surgery!  Can someone help me think this through logically?  I can’t think straight when my feet are cold.


Surgery/Plastic Surgery Transcription
Hello. I am considering taking a position in the field of plastic surgery. Can anyone recommend a way to pick up on the terminology FAST?
INDIA, INDIA, NEWBIE LOOKING FOR INDIAN-OWNED COMPANY-FORGET AMERICA COMPANIES HIRING NEWBIES!!!!
Our country sucks when it comes to teamwork.  My experience is in hospital transcription and 95% foreign dictators.  Most of my dictators are from India and surrounding countries.  Give up you all, India is already way ahead of us!
Used to think we were using India, but now realize India is using us for our med. info, jobs,
:{
On my log sheet, I have a disclaimer. It says something like SM

names without a clear spelling will be written phonetically. Then I go on about my business. You could do 10 more reports in the time it takes to try and hear that stuff.


You need support from your MTSO. That is probably the most important thing. It's sad for you to have to deal with unclear sound files and crappy dictators without any backup from the people you work with.


Are you required to keep a log sheet?
Im just wondering if this is common. I have to keep a log sheet on my current account and it is a big PITA and waste of time and money.
No time sheet - but something to payroll? nm
.
HELP with SOAP sheet issue please!

I have my my own account of three OB-GYNs that use a SOAP sheet type heading on a regular piece of paper. It takes up about 2.5" on the top of the first page of each patient note. It is paper that is purchased from a printing company and they write in the patient's name, vitals, LMP, type of contraception, etc. in the appropriate areas. I have my margins set so I start typing under this info. The problem I have had is these sheets will jam up in any of the three printers I have and I just bought a new all-in-one printer and these sheets will actually get so stuck I have to tear them out of my printer! I know it is because they have been handled, written on, sometimes have corners folded, etc. I normally have a second page I print and sometimes even a third, and I print all the notes at one time or it would take me forever to print out their transcription as I normally have 30-40 pages from each doc! I even made sure the paper I purchased for second, third pages is the same weight as this SOAP heading sheet and it makes no difference. It does not jam with every first page/header page, but it does it on average at least three times while I am printing out one doc's work. This wastes a lot of my time, is frustrating, and I feel it is going to ruin my printer/roller bar with it jamming so badly.


When I spoke with the OM, she said they would quit sending these SOAP sheets with the info on them and then they would just add them to the patient's chart as the first page after I return the transcription. However, I just received a message when I returned home that the docs are not happy with this and do not want it done this way.


When I met with the OM, she said they can change this pre-printed "form" to a half page (which will save them money). I am not exactly sure why they do not like the way things have been changed other than this pertinent info is no longer directly on that first page of the patient's note.


Does anyone have ANY suggestions as to what I could do that they might agree to? I know I had mentioned to the OM when I met with her (to discuss going digital) that perhaps they could use the same form on a half page or even smaller as a label to adhere to the patient note and she said "no way"! They will NOT use adhesive anything. I need to resolve this problem TODAY so sure would appreciate some suggestions/feedback.


TIA.


The soap under the sheet really works.
My husband thought I was crazy but it did work.
We had a laminated clear sheet with
a number on each line and put it over each and every report, counted off for blank lines, and wrote down the total lines for the report. We printed in batches per MT so after 10 or 12 reports we would stop and count. At end of day we added up our lines. (We were paid on gross lines back then.)
Spheris -- control of time sheet.
.
Very nice people.. but log sheet is very tedious! nm
.
Wannie, I found this exam PDF sheet

It's an exam check-off sheet and In the center column, two-thirds of the way down it has them listed as:


Overall Prognosis:
Good Fair Guarded Poor


http://www.n8soft.com/support-files/examdemo.pdf


I hope this helps ease your mind some...it seems it is not the worst.  I'm sorry for what you and your family are going through. 


Putting patient versus The patient (sm)
When did this "rule" come about? I've been an MT/Editor/medeical records tech/ART for 30 years - Never, ever was I told to put that. You cannot make the sentence be "The patient sent to Radiology" but you can put "Patient sent to Radiology."

Thats just insane.
Microsoft Symbols short cut Keyboard Sheet
Hi. Does anyone have or know where I can find a Microsoft Symbols Keyboard short cut list for various symbols including degree, Greek letters, etc. I know how to do it the slow way but I know they make keyboard shortcut lists. Any help would be appreciated.
My dangerous abbreviation sheet doesn't list...sm
q. as a dangerous abbreviation. It lists q.d. and q.o.d. and q.n. but not just q. by itself. ?
When people use last names for first names.
You can't tell what sex the person is, and it just sounds so pretentious and stupid.

Hunter, Tyler, Taylor, Cameron, Morgan, Parker, Porter.

Really soap-operaish and annoying.
Just about anything CHOCOLATE. German chocolate, Texas sheet cake, etc. YUM YUM ;-) nm

surgery
My son is having it on Friday in Dallas by the doctor who invented it. He has guaranteed it will work for him even with his astigmatism. He said he underwent five solid hours of testing today and the doctor told him to stay away from the 500. per day, 15-minute exam places.
If you do not want surgery,
You can have your dentist make a nightguard for you, and a chiropractor is also helpful for manipulation. For a quick fix, albeit temporary, you can go to a pain management physician for steroid injections into the temporomandibular joint. If treated, symptoms can abate without surgery. Hope that helps.
LOL and even after ALL that surgery...
x
Eye surgery
My son had this done last summer when he was 4. You can E-mail me if you have any questions.
Had surgery
I just had this surgery last week.  Go to the surgeon and have him submit it to the insurance company.  If your BMI is near 40, and/or you have other medical conditions as a result of obesity, most insurance companies will cover it; although some do make you jump through hoops to get it done.  Just have to work with them. 
Surgery

Just to let you know the condition I am in, and I am not looking for sympathy here, but I had a major foot surgery.  I was born with clubfeet.  I had to undergo a calcaneal reconstruction due to bone damage, and I underwent an Achilles lengthening and reattachment.  I was totally non-weightbearing of the right foot for 8 weeks, and then another 8 weeks of rehab.  Again, my doctor did not want me to go back to work yet, but due to the insurance and FMLA situation at work, I had to go back. 


I am just belly aching I guess, but it just seems that this other FMLA person gets away with murder.  I am more than willing to work 4 to 6 hours a day, as my foot withstands it, but it would mess up my insurance coverage, which is the only reason I have stayed at this facility for as long as I have.  Such is life!


 


 


I just had the surgery - sm

I waited way too long before taking steps to stop it.  Good for you for doing this now.  Make sure to get an ergonomic keyboard and mouse.  They have new ball mice (is that right for multiple mouses??) that is supposed to be really good at preventing cts.  Taking breaks and wearing the splints at night are the keys though I think.  Hoping that you can stop this in its tracks. 


IMO, you should have the surgery before
trying to hold down a typing job.  I need some surgery too (different type) and don't have disability insurance.  I am trying to hold out until the stimulus package check comes (I know, I shouldn't hold my breath) and will use it to pay the bills while I am laid up.  I also have health insurance, so that is not an issue, thank God.  Good luck!
That is against HIPAA
x
What about HIPAA?
   Our hospital is adamant about no accounts going offshore.  Not only because of quality, but also privacy, lawsuits, etc.  ESPECIALLY after what happened a couple years ago between UCSF Hospital and sub-sub-contractor in India.  (MT there who got gypped in pay held accounts for "ransom".)
HIPAA

Some in the office I work in said there are HIPAA rules that apply to transcription, such as font size, etc.  Does anyone know about this and where I can get more information.


Thanks


HIPAA and cc - what to do? sm
If doctor wants carbon copy sent, I'm told it's a violation of HIPAA rules. Please tell me where I can find this on the Internet. Thanks.
Why would that be against HIPAA?
I have to save my files at least through the invoice period anyway.  Why would it be against HIPAA to run them through IT? 
I'm not the OP, but yes, there is a HIPAA (sm)
violation if you keep copies of patient reports on your hard disks in a form where the patient is identifiable.

What I do to make my normals and IT glossaries is cut/paste a copy of the body of each report, with no info to identify the patient, into wordpad and save under the dictator's name (such as jones hysterectomy, smith HP, etc).
HIPAA
There is nothing in HIPAA that says this information cannot be in the record. What it says is that IF you need to de-identify the information for any reason, all of those things must be removed. Probably not the best policy to have but not a HIPAA violation.
HIPAA
I was recently hired as an employee at a doctors office and we have been discussing taking my MT work home. It is all on hard copy except for occasional e-mails I need to send to the office to download. What do I need to be doing to comply with HIPAA?
HIPAA req.
I use encrypted e-mail through CryptoHeaven, cryptoheaven.com.  They have a bunch of different packages and well priced.  All work must be kept confidential and protected as much as possible (lock box for saved work on CDs).  I keep all patient lists only to type and then they are shredded.  Make sure if you are faxing pt lists back and forth, you are using a front fax cover sheet with a statement on it regarding confidentiality, etc. (your doctor's office probably uses this when sending stuff from their office).  I also have the ability to lock my office when there are parties, etc. at the house just to be on the safe side. 
It's HIPAA............nm
nm
I don't know about HIPAA.... sm

But I wonder why they were asking you all those questions? The only thing I remember when enrolling my son was making sure his shots were up to date. Of course, we are talking a long time ago!


I don't understand why a kindergarten would need such a thorough medical history on their students. HIPAA or not, it sounds like invasion of privacy to me.


It's HIPAA
It's HIPAA, not HIPPA, and the provisions are only enforceable within the US.

There are free HIPAA courses online; you don't have to become certified, just become familiar with it so your work area, computer, etc. are compliant. Should be mandatory learning for all MTs.