Health Information Management

Colorado mental treatment case highlights privacy rule

HIPAA Weekly Advisor, October 17, 2005

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A hospital cited HIPAA and other state and federal privacy laws when it told the parents of a schizophrenic 35-year-old man that he was not at the hospital, even though he was a patient at the facility, reports The Pueblo [CO] Chieftan.

Rick Harmes, 35, checked himself into the mental ward at Parkview Medical Center (PMC) in Pueblo, CO, in September. His parents-who say they are very close to their son-reported him missing September 22 because he did not tell them his was checking himself into PMC. He also left his wallet, medicine, and identification in his apartment, according to The Chieftan.

After he was released from PMC September 29, Harmes immediately called his parents. It is unclear whether Harmes opted out of the hospital directory, though his parents expressed doubts that he did, reports The Chieftan.

Click here to read The Chieftan article.



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