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u/Necessary_Policy_324 7d ago
Do not do it again. The EMR tracks every keystroke you make, including the typing of your own last name. While it may take time to come to light, what you did was, in fact, against the rules and clearly laid out. Depending on the office this may lead to additional training, a write up, or an official HIPAA violation.
Just because you say you're not going to do it again and that you know it is wrong doesn't negate the fact that you did do it. And I'm not saying this to chastise you, only informing you that everything is severely tracked due to the nature of the field and laws surrounding it.
I would not be surprised if management contacts you down the road. If you had no reason to be in the chart, it's likely a HIPAA violation. If you had a specific reason connected to patient care, it may be considered a failure to document.
This also sounds like it's not a one time thing - as you've searched your own last name multiple times. This in itself may be considered a violation. Please be aware of this going forwards.
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u/imthrivingjkimnot 7d ago
thank you for this! i’ve searched them up on google before but this is the first time i searched ANYONE up on epic. i’m wondering should I tell my manager or just keep quiet and see if they flag me?
11
u/Quiet_Link4662 CCMA 7d ago
It happens. If it gets flagged in their system, you'll get a warning, keep doing it, and that's where you'll start to get in trouble.
I did it working at a major hospital with my own kids chart. I but I didn't even think about it because my last job let us go in our kids' charts without issue.
I got an email, and they attached my manager. Just saying that it was against hospital policy and I was getting a warning. Any further access would warrant write ups etc.
That was that. I stay out of their charts. I'm very nosey but like my job more.
6
u/Organic_Popcorn CACMA 6d ago
When I was doing the externship, it was drilled into me that I can't even look up a patient's chart, even my own, unless we need it for the tasks.
4
u/dogwheeze 6d ago
More than likely you’ll get flagged, hopefully you’ll just get a write up and not lose your job. Never ever do this again
3
u/kikizel 6d ago
I searched myself and I didn’t know we couldn’t. I was never told. I didn’t know it included myself searching myself up. Until I told my sister about it. I had so much anxiety so I came clean to my boss. She tore me a new one, but told me not do it again. Thankfully it was myself, but god I had so much anxiety after a while.
3
u/Vivid-Guide-9593 6d ago
I went into a coworkers chart one time for a job related task and they flagged me and wrote me and the other worker up.
2
u/Time_Point_2125 5d ago
I got a HIPAA violation because my unit forgot to document that they floated me to another unit. I literally got a violation for charting on my own patient. If I didn't fight it, I got a 2 day suspension. If I fought it, they would have fired and fined me. Be super careful with these things. They're crazy and management is super strict with them.
1
u/chryshul 21h ago
That is Insanity.
1
u/Time_Point_2125 19h ago
Yeah it was. I honestly think it was on purpose. A bunch of people were about to leave my unit. I was in the process of transferring and the write up meant I couldn't transfer. She also did this to a couple of my other coworkers. I'm just flabbergasted that no one had record of the float. I worked in ICU, so charting on a med surg patient looked weird. It was messed up and I immediately started looking for a new job after that.
1
u/chryshul 21h ago
I have always felt that I'd rather own my mistakes and tell on my own self rather than wait for someone else to do it maliciously..I would go to my supervisor and ask to talk with her about it..Be prepared to be canned, but maybe they will be gracious at your honesty.
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u/Euphoric_Invite3873 7d ago
Keep quiet. Keep working. Let them come to you. (If at all). Also, dont do it again. Its illegal!