Joanne is an RHIA and the Coding Supervisor at Main Street Hospital. She was overheard by her son on the phone. She was discussing her son's step-mother. His step-mom, Sarah, had a recent visit to the ER where Joanne works. The step-son told his father what he had overheard his mom saying on the phone. The father then questioned Sarah about her recent visit to the ER as she had not told him about it. Sarah contacted the hospital, and Joanne was suspended while a review of the situation is on-going.
You are in charge of overseeing the investigation into the issue.
Part 1: Your first step is to review the AHIMA Code of Ethics to determine if you need to contact AHIMA for a violation that has occurred. If so, list the specific standard and discuss how she violated it.
Part 2: Joanne had violated HIPAA. Determine what if anything your facility has to do in regard to HIPAA requirements.
Part 3: Compare and contrast potential solutions for rectifying this situation for each of the following: the patient, the employee and the facility.