Status of deceased patient
HIPAA Weekly Advisor, January 5, 2009
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Q. Many of our patients and visitors get to know each other over the course of their treatment and often inquire when they haven’t seen someone in a period of time. When a patient’s death has been announced in a local newspaper, how should we respond to requests from other patients and visitors for information about the status of the deceased patient?
A. You may respond to inquiries that ask for the patient by name. You may tell the requester the patient’s condition in general terms, and this would include acknowledging the patient’s death.
Editor's note: Mary Brandt, president of Bellaire, TX-based Brandt & Associates, LLC, answered this question. This is not legal advice. Consult your attorney regarding legal matters.
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