They say emails are not secure and there can be a HIPAA issue. There are numerous issues that they do not follow up on. Many updates phoned to me about sisters health. Not only am I having trouble keeping everything straight, but I want to have written facts to refer back to when they do not follow through with promises. Any suggestions for recourse?
HIPAA protects personally identifiable information like name, birth date, and SSN. Those things don't need to be used to update someone on a loved one's condition. And it's not unusual for medical facilities to send encrypted emails that require a password which is sent by phone, snail mail, or text. Perhaps an elder law attorney may also be able to help with an acceptable communication process.
You may also want to contact the ombudsman assigned to the facility about your concerns.
Best wishes to you and sis.
* Source article: iRecorded a private conversation: Call recording and the law. www.mnbar.org
No one loves email (or a written "paper trail") more than me, but I have a business and can hardly keep track of the multiple emails from multiple clients. Even though we use a special app for this, it is still way less than a perfect solution. Also I'm a very fast typer, too. Not everyone is.
Texting also is usually not secure.
You can record conversations if you inform them that you are recording the conversation.
You can ask them to mail care notes to you after a phone call. The notes should be easy to mail as everything is documented in the medical record.
HIPPA protects a persons health information. Thats why in every Hospital, Rehab, NH, Rehab and Drs office you have to fill out HIPPA forms naming who is allowed to get ur heath information. If you are the Medical POA, you already have been given a right to the info.
If you ever feel she is over-medicated, be sure to ask for copies of the MAR (Medication Admin Record). This will help you be aware of any medication changes.
Get a special notebook to keep your own notes during the phone calls. Have a section that you also make notes after each visit of how you feel she is doing or conversations with staff. Keep an ongoing list of your questions and concerns so you remember to ask about them when they update you.
Anyone who has not looked at their loved one's chart may be in for a surprise. We were surprised to find a form in our father's chart the facility doctor and hospice doctor had signed saying he was not competent to make medical decisions.... meanwhile the nurses were telling us only our father could refuse medicine that we had requested to be stopped. We had an ongoing battle with the nurses insisting they had to follow the doctor's orders because even they did not know the form was in his chart!