The hospital’s stance and HIPAA have some similarities in regards to whether the nurse should be fired from her job for sharing a patient’s confidential information. The two organizations agree that the healthcare provider has an obligation to protect patient confidentiality and privacy. Any breach can lead to serious consequences, including loss of licensure or termination. Both organizations also stress the importance of clear protocols to make sure that staff are fully aware of their roles when it comes protecting sensitive information.
There are differences in the way these violations are dealt with. While HIPAA enforces the federal laws and regulations regarding patient privacy, some hospitals have their own rules and procedures that could result in different results depending on what is happening. HIPAA offers protections against healthcare workers violating its rules, but hospitals do not always offer this protection. This is why it’s important to take into account both viewpoints when making decisions regarding disciplinary action.