My personal information has leaked out at the doctors rooms!
By Riette
@Zorrogirl (1502)
South Africa
June 1, 2007 5:21pm CST
i went to my gp several times due to depression. the other day i fell through a glass door and cut my arm very badly on the side. i went to the same doctor for emergency stitches. i have been seeing a counciller prior to that, but when he was doing the stitches, i asked him if he knew of a good psychologist. he referred me and i went for a few times in the following weeks. then the trouble started. i started hearing that i tried to commit suicide and later i heard that i was commited to an institution for the,now numerous, suicide attempts. i later also heard i was a danger to my little girl. i traced the evil gossip back to the nurses who work at the doctors rooms. i havent confronted them or reported it to the doctors. isnt it illegal to disclosd patients information? and can i do something about the fact that the truth got many versions at the end. it all stems from the truth but i am scared to take it further.
5 people like this
9 responses
@teison2 (5921)
• Norway
1 Jun 07
I think you should take it further. It is absolutely not ok that the nurses leak information about the patients. If people cannot talk to the doctors without fearing the entire town will know what your problem is we have got a real problem.
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
1 Jun 07
i am trying to put out fires of the mean gossip,but i fear that i might just have to go and report it.
1 person likes this
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
1 Jun 07
i am trying to put out fires of the mean gossip,but i fear that i might just have to go and report it.
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Actually you can get them fired on the spot if they are truely the cause of these rumors. It is against patient privacy laws for any information about you to be discussed outside of your doctors office, especially gossip. I would file charges and get this matter resloved before it gets to out of hand.
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
2 Jun 07
its really already out of control. when i go and report it, only a little will be repaired but i know now that i should speak up.
1 person likes this
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
2 Jun 07
its really already out of control. when i go and report it, only a little will be repaired but i know now that i should speak up.
1 person likes this
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
2 Jun 07
Well I do wish you the best of luck and I hope that the damage can be repaired. I'm sorry that you've had to deal with such nastiness.
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
2 Jun 07
people always love to add up stories about other people. it spices their days. sad that they need to ruin one's life to enjoy their day.
as for you, i am sorry to hear about your situation. and yup. nurses and other staffs weren't suppose to disclose informations about patience... it's just professionalism... things between patients and hospital staffs should be left there and no need to spread humors about their patients. that's bad. you should report the incident to their superiors so they won't harm anymore others' lives.
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
2 Jun 07
o and they do so love to gossip. in our town there is nothing like entertainment of any kind. gossip is their best passtime. this time it really hit home and damaged my good name.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
2 Jun 07
i will be very upset if this happens to me... the nurses shouldn't have disclosed your personal information to anybody... yes, i think it is illegal... i think you should lodge a complain to the doctor and ask the nurses to clear up your name and reputation again... it is very displeasing to hear something unpleasant that people say about us especially if it is not true...
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
2 Jun 07
What makes it even worse is that most people knew i had depression, and thus they believed every word of the nurses version.
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
2 Jun 07
I used to work in as a paralegal years ago, and we were sworn to confidentiality of our clients and that meant not even discussing the cases within the offices. I would imagine that the nurses and/or office staff are also held to the same standards. If you have traced this information back to the office staff, I would definitely seek legal counsel about this as you may have legal recourse. Nevertheless, it might be worth switching doctors at the very least.
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
2 Jun 07
Thank you for the advice. i am so glad that i posted this. i have new confidence in persuing this matter.
@buri2_jaemon (619)
• Indonesia
2 Jun 07
hm i think first you must check out with the doctors about the truth of your information leaking out from doctors rooms, if that's true you can complain and take law action agains the doctor..
@nannacroc (4049)
•
1 Jun 07
I imagine that there are similar rules regarding patient confidentiality wherever you live and this needs to be reported. In Britain, any nurse who breaches it is almost certain to lose her job. Don't let this carry on, report it to the doctor.
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
1 Jun 07
i think i should, but i have to be so careful. it wont repair the most damage,but i need to know that some people regard me as a sane person. i shall post a discussion when or if i reported it with all the details.thank you
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
2 Jun 07
I would definetly go further with this. No they are not allowed to be talking about a patient like that. File a complaint. And dont be scared what the heck are you scared about?
@Manybeers (20)
• Canada
2 Jun 07
Zorrogirl; It's a shame that these things happen. We expect more from those in the medical profession. I have heard the staff in clinics speak about patiants after they have left the room and on more than one occation told them that this was wrong behavour. I would speak to your doctor about this and if you can ask him to recomend you to another clinic that does not alow this kind of behavior from thier staff. Hope you don't allow this incedent to stop you from getting the help you may need. Where do you find a turtle with no legs? Right where you left it.
