Sorry to hear of your diagnosis
Posted By: sm on 2007-03-30
In Reply to: Has a HIPPA law been violated by my ex coworker? - I am patient
Unfortunately this happens when you have your tests done at the same facility where you are a patient. I am also a product of feeling like "every knows". It is not fair to you, but I feel in hindsight now I would never choose to go where I worked to have testing done unless I didn't mind that the people I worked with know of my personal health information. It is a common thing in hospitals and physicians' offices for people to snoop and want to know your business and unfortunately, this isn't always a positive thing. If you need other tests I would suggest trying another institution and also mention this to the physicians who care for you, but they may say the same thing - that you should NOT have asked a former coworker to let you know of your results. Only the physicians have a right to that information and the right to relay that to you. I fortunately did not have breast cancer, but my incident stemmed from having a mammogram. My boss posed as a friend in the mammogram department the day I had the lumpectomy. Yeah right, some "friend". She was just being nosey and wanting to know when I would be returning to work because the typing was getting backed up. Again in hindsight, I will never step foot in that hospital again for anything in regards to my health. I go to a different hospital/radiology department from now on. Good luck with your health and best wishes to a resolution to your anxiety.
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Very sorry to hear of your diagnosis...sm..
Like the other poster said, think positive and go forward from here with what you need to do.
1. You asked her to let you know if she typed the report so she did so that's not a violation. It could be a violation if it wasn't emailed through an encrypted email program but I wouldn't make a stink out of that.
2. She should know the rules and should know it's a major violation to blab to the department so if she has any brains in her head, she'll keep her piehole closed. I wouldn't worry about it right now or jump to conclusions, but if you do later hear that others in the department know, I would report your suspicions to her supervisor.
Are there any steps you can take at this point to keep it under lock and key so no one else finds can read your report in that department?
Beyond that, I wouldn't worry about it and would focus on licking this temporary setback. I wouldn't worry about what's going through her head and why she isn't contacting you anymore. She sounds flakey. Focus on you and your family.
I am so sorry for your diagnosis...
I am reading your post with tears in my eyes. That so hit home with me. I don't want to have my kids growing up thinking our house is "normal" as messy as it is. God bless you and I will pray for you. I'm going to make some changes in my life today.
LOL!!! How about this diagnosis... sm
And I quote - "History of injury of the poisoning at specified place." I always have to correct this guy's grammar and tense, but what the heck do you do with something like this?! I typed it as is and sent it on!
Yes, I did go to the ER and my diagnosis was:
Complicated migraine. And I am all better now.
Thanks!
Diagnosis?
Can I get some opinions before I make an appt with a doctor? Have been having mild fleeting pains in my llq, probably about a week and a half, sometimes midabdomen, the last couple days it has slowly moved upward, now kind of in my chest but still just a mild dull ache - possibly pulled a muscle? Don't think it is anything serious but is getting more prominent, any ideas? Thanks.
So sorry about your diagnosis. sm
Why do you think she spread it around? Concentrate on your diagnosis, treatment, and healing.
So sorry for your diagnosis..sm
you must be beside yourself. My sympathies!
as for the coworker, I can only comment that you had asked her to let you know, which she did. Perhaps she left off the part about the breast cancer because she did not want to be the one to tell you or let you know that. She wanted your doctor to do that. I really don't think she was doing anything wrong...other than maybe every body knows now. you know how that goes.
secondly, and I have said this before, transcription has HIPAA laws, which are a good thing, but because of a situation just like this one, I truly believe that if a Transcriptionist happens to know the patient involved, she should be able to respectfully decline to do that person's transcription. Just as in choosing a jury for a trial...if the prospective juror knows the person on trial, he should not have to be placed on that case. It would save an awful lot of this type of thing from happening, and everybody being *all up in your business*. Personally, if I received a dictation from someone I knew, I would not even want to do it. What is in those files is none of my business.
that is just my thought though.
I wish you all the best on your recovery. May the Lord hold your hand through it all!
Recent diagnosis of MS
Hang in there! You can overcome a chronic illness and empower yourself. It ain't easy, but doable. Been that way for 12 years now.
Just make sure you file the disability with a disability attorney. SS is very well known for denying claims usually twice, then court before they grant it. This waste many many months and tires us that are already tired, out. You need all your energy to fight the disease, not for your rights to supplemental income you've paid for all these years.
Your children will also receive dependent benefits until they reach 18, so again, get an experienced dis. atty. Hang in there
Also, see what diagnosis code
they used to bill. Might have been billed as a screening and that's sometimes a no-no as far as getting things paid. Obviously, you can't lie, but see if she had any symptoms at all that might justify the test.
sorry for your diagnosis..congratulate you on..sm
your wanting to raise your boys to be good housekeepers. I wish my husband's mother had taught him so many things..just simple little things about the house..like closing cabinet doors. No, truly I understand your thinking and even though I have not been diagnosed with cancer, I think about all the crap I've got stuck out in the shed that I need to get rid of so nobody else has to come along and get rid of all that crap for me. It's a lot to deal with for people who are grieving anyway.
Good luck and just said a prayer for you.
ADHD diagnosis
When our son was having trouble in school, we brought him to an expert in the field of ADHD, and after hours of testing he made the diagnosis, and, then after that got an IEP at the school. Every state is different in their different programs, but they all have to provide help for children with special needs. Our son was at a college at another state, they had his IEP and went there for two years, came back home and is at another local college and they told him he never should have had a full load of classes and he is given extra time for testing, etc. The school system should have a special needs department, like they do here in my state and you can contact them about extra help for autism, learning disabilities, etc. It makes a big difference in getting the kids all the help they need to succeed and not fail in any of the schools. Also, I believe the Americans with Disabilities web site can help also.
My sympathy as well on your diagnosis
But as a radiology MT you know that the treatment for breast cancer has advanced considerably and many women go on to live long, healthy lives after breast cancer treatment. So focus on the positive for the now.
As far as your coworker, I understand the desire to know the results of your tests, but yes, she should have told you to ask your doctor for the results instead of sending them to you. Then, if she gave the results to anyone else, the HIPAA violation would be entirely on her part. I don't know if you have spoken to her since she sent you the report, but it is possible that she was either caught sending the email or she talked to someone about it and was reprimanded for the HIPAA violation, therefore she is now afraid to talk to you at all because she does not want to risk getting fired. (Just one possible scenario.)
Your best course of action is just not to worry about the opinion of your coworkers. You have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. Don't let this distract you. Focus on what is important, and "don't sweat the small stuff".
Good luck!
proper diagnosis!!! for my exhusband too...LOL...sm
but it isn't really funny and I'm not really laughing.....it was him or my sanity, as I posted below, and my sanity won out but you have put the proper diagnosis on it because I've been saying for 20 years, he was/is a passive aggressive.....always pointing the finger, placing blame and never looking inside himself as maybe it's him who is/was the problem......(also a triple virgo male *LOL* sun, moon, rising-ascendant). 
Spelling out abbreviations in the diagnosis
when told specifically not to is not following instructions.
Thanks to both of you...verbatim account. Has to be as dictated unless in diagnosis.
We do use dx for diagnosis, and all the short cuts expanders
dd
I am on XANAX. I did not think my clinical diagnosis would be on report.
When given this diagnosis, the first thing you want to know is how far it has spread. It can mean life or death. My doctor was OOT for two more days and I was panicking. I needed to know if it was abnormal so I could begin thinking of what the future held. I am not thinking RATIONALLY!!!!!
Last week I've been diagnosis with Multiple sclerosis and I did sm
go to file my disability and found out what I would get paid if approve, I am working 7 days a week, 24 hours a day off and on. My husband is deceased and I have two kids to raise and one must do what they have to do.
Diagnosis of perimenopause versus adrenal fatigue? I'm getting very confused on where to turn
To me, my symptoms coincide exactly what to me seems to be perimenopause, but also seem to be some adrenal fatigue as well. Wouldn't adrenal fatigue be a natural result of the perimenopause hormonal fluctations, i.e., very lethargic and listless, insomnia, mood swings, energy swings, fuzzy brain? I'm getting conflicting advice and opinions and just don't know where to turn anymore. I just want this fixed, and didn't think it should be that hard. I went to this GYN my sister referred, but he seemed to me to be rather clueless and had me do some antithyroid antibody tests and put me on fish oil and folic acid! No hormone testing whatsoever. Then, I talked to a pharmacist locally who also deals with women on this same issue (my sister too), who has a Ph.D and consults with the MD. I took her test and she diagnosed me with severe adrenal fatigue, but again, I think this is probably just a result of the hormones messing up. Any advice? I don't want to do a lot of unnecessary testing that insurance doesn't cover, such as the saliva test. I'd appreciate any advice. I'm thinking to just go maybe just go my my PCP and get on an antidepressant or something.
Brain dead today - or is it hear hear? I'm going to bed.
nm
Marry me?! :) Seriously...hear, hear. Good post. - nm
xx
Hear, hear! I agree with Dakota - sm
The MTSO should be giving feedback to the hospital/doctors who slur, speak too rapidly, etc. They need to pull up their socks! And there's no reason why these doctors shouldn't be given an outline of what is expected from them when they dictate, such as cell phones, chewing food, candy, gum, etc.
You should type them. I usually type them in parentheses following the diagnosis.
x
i hear you
That sounds like my husband. If he gets "stuck" with the kids the my job interferes with the family life, but when there are too many bills to pay, I spend too much money. I can never win.
I am so sorry to hear about your dog. SM
I know how sad it is to lose a beloved pet. I have lost many over my lifetime and they all stay in my memory. My condolences to you.
i hear it also....
i'm divorced and get told 'how will you ever meet someone if you don't leave the house'.
i also get neighbors asking me to watch for deliveries, let repairmen in, let their dogs out.....just because i'm home they think i'm in front of the tv eating bon bons....when actually i'm posting on this board!! 
I hear you
Good for you! Couldn't be more proud!
I want to hear more about this. Seriously.
..
I hear ya - sm
Hard to be the disciplinarian without the support of the husband or grandparents.
Of course, then when they get older and get into more serious trouble as time goes by, it will be YOUR fault for not disciplining them too.
Same old story around here too.
Stand your ground mom. Tough as it is, I know. You gotta do it.
Did you hear or see this anywhere
else besides on this board?? I haven't heard that - that is very scary. Hope it is just rumor.
I hear what you are saying.
My husband is a school custodian for a K-12 school. My daughter graduated a couple years ago, so I no longer have a kid in school. There were teachers along and along that I did not agree with, but there are always channels to go through. There will always be kids who are picked on. Unfortunately, the parents of the bullies are going to take up for their little angels as well. One of our first graders held a sharpened pencil to the throat of another student, and made threats to the teachers. They tried to get the child removed from the classroom and the local board of education would not cooperate. The teachers walk a fine line. They are expected to protect all the children, but they are not allowed to do very much with little devils like this. We had a coach that the parents tried to run off because he tried to teach some of the 16-17 year-old babies some discipline. I am not talking about slamming them up against the wall. I am just talking about things like making the guys on the team (heaven forbid) tuck their shirt tails in. You would be amazed at the little things that can cause such a stink. I had a teacher tell my daughter she did not agree with my parenting techniques, so it can go both ways. (My daugher was 17) Since my husband works there, I know these teachers. The teacher is a basically good person, we just had a disagreement. I was respectful when I talked to her in front of my daughter, and I expect my daughter to behave in a similar manner. I have noticed that most of the bullies in school have parents that are also bullies. We have resource officers at the school to help pretect the children. Unfortunately, these officers have also been called on to protect the teachers from very real threats from students and parents. While I agree that parents definitely need to know what is going on with their child in school, if some of the parents I know showed up at school every day it would be impossible for the teachers to actually teach classes. These teachers have to teach the whole class, not just your child. There is no way they are going to please all the parents and still do their job. There is also no way on this earth I would be a teacher these days.
Where did you hear this?
Do you have anymore information regarding this? I tried to look up on the IRS website, but couldn't find anything. I think that would be great for everyone to donate 1 vacation day, that would add up to a lot!!
Sorry to hear that you and your...sm
husband aren't getting along!
LOL...I hear that! sm
Used to work for YOG/MQ...glad I got out when I did. Talk about stress...yikes!!!
We need to hear more
About the Teamsters in LA who said they would take us on. Back last week I believe the question was asked about unions and a reply came back that LA Teamsters were interested in us, but no more details were given. Maybe that should be Monday's job, track them down in LA and see what's up.
Where did you hear that it
doesn't start until January?
I hear ya...
...all the songs you mentioned..."Something", too. Don't get me started either...LOL
In my 10th grade English class we had to pick a poem to read in front of the class...I read the lyrics from "Lucy"...a few people were looking at me like I was crazy & I just thought "Oh well, you just don't get it."
Yep, we sure could use his humor these days, that's for sure!!
At least, if what I believe is true, he's in a much better place...I can just see him looking down & shaking his head. Just imagine what kind of songs he'd be writing now!
Oh, where's a peace sign emoticon when you need one...LOL 
I hear ya!
Yeah, except we don't get $50,000 after eating the slime and rotten fish.
I hear ya
Crap, crap and more crap being left. Don't these little cherrypickers know how to do HARD LONG REPORTS???
I hear ya!
Just two months ago, I started to IC for a large cardiology group. The in-house wanted a day off during the week, so I was going to fill in for her at home. Let me tell you, she was a nut and faxed me corrections for the weirdest stuff. Needless to say, I quit that place after two days of filling in! There is always work out there and I found a much better office where I am averaging around $200.00 per tape!
Best of luck to you!
I hear ya.........
I'm in the same position. Left a great IC position (small company) for employee status but I can't seem to find what I had before with the big guys. They all seem to lie and treat their MTs like slaves. Wish I could go back to the old position but I need to work as an employee for many reasons. Suks, huh?
I hear ya.
Next time invite them over for coffe and let them listen to a few ESL dictators!!!! HA. See how fast they run out the door........ LOL
I hear you!
My response to all is asking them to spell esophagogastroduodenoscopy. My aunt is the worst! She still calls me a stay at home MOM!!!
Don't need to hear this
Oh my God! This is the frist year I've worked as an IC and had deductions for it. I also owe the IRS a lot of $$ for other reasons and I'll be paying it off for years and years.. It is scary to hear this. I haven't done anything wrong but if they audit me I'll shoot myself. But just think--Exxon paid NO TAXES this year.. I guess that is why the IRS needs to go after the big bucks from us MTs.
I hear ya
I am in the same boat. I have been working two jobs and working extra on both due to finances and such. I too am the only one who can. My BF thinks it is terrible when he has to work an actual 8 hours (his job if he is done he works however many and gets paid for 8,sometimes 5 or 6 but with the holiday an actual 7 or 8). They think it is just awful if I ask for extra help. I am worn out. Today I just finished one job fixing to start the full time one and have a roast cooking, clothes washing, and candy chilling in the fridge. Teenage stepdaughter keeps coming in her asking what I am doing and talking chit chat. I have said a million times what I am doing. I am also eating lunch in here somewhere. Oh and I am having some endometriosis flare up and a cold. I am about to blow my top. I can feel your pain.
I hear you!
I had a dream last night in which I asked my family physician whether carrying 30 lb extra weight could be any worse than my 3/4 pack per day smoking habit. The dream ended without an answer. But, seriously, this occurred to me - starting cigs again until I realized I could start smoking and be a smoker AND 30 lb overweight! At least without SOB, I can attempt to increase metabolism with cardiovascular exercise. Considered Phentermine too but it would probably send me to the convenience store for a pack of smokes since they make you very fidgity.
I pulled out the pressure cooker for fast steamed veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots) and bought potatoes for baking. Tea and fruit juices for in between meals.
Not what I want to hear!
I may be needing a hysterectomy soon -- going for second opinion next week. Hoping I can get by with an ablation. I'm an MTSO -- definitely don't have time to be off my feet for that long - was hoping I could be proofing and editing at least by end of first week if I have to have a hyst. Maybe not, huh?? Maybe it's easier to live with the bleeding!!! NOT! Best of luck to you all!!
I hear YOU!
Remember, you must FORCE yourself to be "up." You must think positive and above all else, say prayers once a day at least and thank God for ALL your blessings. Most of us have so many blessings to be grateful for.
HANG IN THERE!!!!
Yep, I hear ya
I posted something similar a year or so ago, was making 10 cpl, seldom ran out of work, could name my own hours and production quota, plus I had another, 12-mo contract for 18 cpl -- and I still asked if this is all there is to my life? I know exactly where you're coming from.
Here's what I did:
When my 18 cpl contract expired, I quit my other service and swore myself into retirement out of sheer frustration at the constant demand for production. I worked "people jobs" for 6 months - deli, sales, anything away from a keyboard and computer. I responded to a med facility ad for purchasing and ended up in the med recs department, expecting to learn coding but wound up transcribing 6 hours a day instead, and filing for $20/hour. Ugh! I've since given notice and plan to take up where I left off at my own MT business and, this time, relax and do only what I enjoy. No more huge line counts or threats of "or else" for me. I'll find a service that's flexible, pick up the odd contract here and there that doesn't require me to be on the keys 12 hours a day, and get some gardening and kayaking done.
At my age with more than 25 years in this business, I'm finally realizing I don't have to compete with the newbies, nor do I have to put CMT after my name, although I did it once. I work for ME and from now on, it'll be as I enjoy it since I obviously am meant to be in this business.
I wish you gooooood luck. You may just need a break to gain new perspective. It's done wonders for me. :-)
I hear you! (sm)
Yes, as another poster said, you /can/ ignore them, but . . . maybe it's only me, but I always feel this niggling bit of discomfort. Am I absolutely, positively sure it's not me?
I hear ya
Just be careful with the shoulder thing if you keep at MT. I ignored some shoulder pain for quite a while and ended up with a frozen shoulder about this time last year, couldn't put my arm behind my back, woke me up at night when I would turn wrong on it, etc. Very painful and annoying, had to do PT for 2 months but got almost full range back, not quite. Doc said it was probably a result of continued strain from something I was doing wrong with typing. I'm trying to save up to buy a new desk that is more ergonomic. Also, if you keep doing MT, I think it's important to do some strength exercises to keep from atrophying from the sedentary work. I can't believe how much my body has deteriorated in the years I've been doing this, and even more so since going more full time, let alone the wide butt! It was one of my New Year's resolutions to get back to a regular training program, but here I am still not doing it due to changes with my job and schedule, looking for other jobs, testing, let alone any family life, basically too exhausted right now, although I know if I could just get started, it would help so much! Sorry for the long message, just wanted to tell you to listen to your body if something is hurting! I don't really miss the office politics and drama, having to dress up to go to work, the commute, but sometimes I do miss having someone to visit with. Good luck to you!
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