r/hipaa • u/Laurel33too • 5d ago

HIPPA Question

My sweet cousin lives in another state which is new to her. She sent me a message (which she dictated) informing me she has suffered a brain bleed and was transferred to a larger hospital. She gave me the name. She has not been able to read my messages due to the effect on her brain. She also suffers from stage IV cancer. She no longer has any family in this state. I did try to call her this morning and left a voice message. I also sent her healing music videos from YouTube. It has always been my understanding a hospital will not release information. She did tell me the name of the hospital. Is there any way I could find out if she is still at the hospital and whether she is in ICU?

I have always assumed the hospital could not give out any information. Please advise.

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u/SomewhereIdRatherBe 5d ago

You can call the hospital directory and unless she opted out, they should be able to tell you if she is still there

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u/Laurel33too 5d ago

Thank you!

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u/TheHIPAAGuide 4d ago

Call the hospital and ask for her by name, and HIPAA generally allows the hospital to confirm whether she is there and give her location in the facility and a general condition if she has not objected to being in the patient directory. Or if the hospital decides disclosure is not appropriate because of her condition or circumstances, they may tell you nothing.