Q: How should we address patients when we call them from the reception area to the treatment room? Some older patients feel that it's disrespectful to call them by their first names.
HIPAA Weekly Advisor, January 7, 2008
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A: Unless you are seeing the patient for a sensitive service (such as treatment for a sexually transmitted disease), it's acceptable to address the patient by title and last name, such as Ms. Smith. Many patients, especially those who are older, object to being addressed by their first names. If privacy is an issue because of the services that you provide, consider calling patients by number instead of name.
Editor's note: Mary Brandt, president of Bellaire, TX-based Brandt & Associates, LLC, answered this question. This is not legal advice. Consult your attorney for legal matters.
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