Is their an HIPPOCRATIC OATH for Pharmacists?

[Sookie]

Last night I took DD (she has been very, very sick lately) to the pharmacy to fill her latest prescription. It was very crowded there and people were milling about waiting for their prescriptions to be filled.

The woman took DD's prescription and I am not sure if she was a pharmacist or a woman who works in the pharmacy. She asked DD if she wanted to wait and DD said yes. Several minutes later the woman said (VERY LOUDLY since we by then had strolled several feet away from the drop-off desk as we didn't know she was going to ask another question) "Well you're going to have about an hour to wait because there are several regular customers ahead of you and some people who are also having prescriptions for **** filled". The **** was the name of the drug, which is not something we needed everyone in the entire pharmacy to hear. We were mortified.

I was wondering if that was a breach of confidential information. DD says she never wants to set foot in the pharmacy again, nor does she ever want to see a certain neighbor who was also in the pharmacy waiting for her prescription to be filled. Does anyone know if this was improper?

[Robyn1007]

I don't know if its against an official oath (or possible company policy of the pharmacy) but I definitely think it was uncalled for and should be brought to management's attention. Unfortunately, what was said can't be taken back and that s*cks!

I once had a pharmacist mix up antibiotics and pain killers. He labled my painkillers according to the antibiotic directions and I ended up taking a double dose of painkiller. Thank goodness it wasn't a really strong painkiller but I sure was out cold for awhile. We (mom and I as I was still in high school) called the pharmacy and they offered a credit. :eek: Needless to say we never used that credit or the pharmacy again.

[Rex]

On a side note:

Try this site for prescription discounts :) www.yourrxcard.com

[MikeC]

I'm certainly not a pharmacist, but I'm not sure why the particular drug would have anything to do with how long it would take? Don't most pharmacies fill prescriptions for people who want to wait in the order in which they arrive? If I arrive before you, and you and I both want to wait for our prescriptions, mine gets filled first because I arrived first?

If you don't plan to use that particular pharmacy again, I'd report the person to the manager of the store or to someone at the main office if it's a chain.

Certainly sounds like inappropriate behavior to me!

[funnybone]

That's terrible treatment, I agree. I'm so glad that my Dr's office now submits the rx electronically to the pharmacy of my choice. There's no waiting now and I use the drive through. I love drive through pharmacies!

[Sookie]

I'm certainly not a pharmacist, but I'm not sure why the particular drug would have anything to do with how long it would take? Don't most pharmacies fill prescriptions for people who want to wait in the order in which they arrive? If I arrive before you, and you and I both want to wait for our prescriptions, mine gets filled first because I arrived first?

If you don't plan to use that particular pharmacy again, I'd report the person to the manager of the store or to someone at the main office if it's a chain.

Certainly sounds like inappropriate behavior to me!
Mike, I don't think it had anything at all to do with the amount of time. It was unsolicited information that she blurted out to the entire store. There was no need for her to say what she said AT ALL and that's why we're so upset about it. Also, to mention the drug almost anyone would immediately know what condition DD is being treated for.

[zwieback]

Here is a link to the Code of Ethics (as well as an oath) regarding pharmacists. http://www.uspharmd.com/rxcode.htm

The Code of Ethics is the same on several different websites I looked at so, I presume it is reliable. Not sure if what the person at your pharmacy did was against this code but, it was certainly in poor taste. She could have said, "excuse me Ms. Sookie, could you return to the pharmacy for a minute?" I'd complain to the management of the store and even the head pharmacist.

[KristaMB]

With all the HIPAA regualtions the last few years it shocks me that the pharmacy (or pharmacy tech) would be so careless. I found the following site that has a list of questions for consumers and also a way to file a complaint if you feel your privacy has been violated.

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

[raka1214]

Definitly out of line behavior that needs to be reported and then never use that pharmacy again because, if she/he is talking like that at work IMAGINE what she/he is talking about once they are off duty http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b155/luvmyhunny/Smilies/1.gif

I have a dear friend that is a pharmacist at one of our 2 hospitals in the area. He is a supervisor and has fired people, both techs and pharmacists, for much less involving divulging information from people's confidential medical records. That is basically what your prescription is - a confidential medical record of your health and therefore is covered under any HIPAA guideline.

[funniegrrl]

Whether or not it's part of some oath or industry ethics guidelines, it is CERTAINLY against HIPAA regulations. Health care providers must take reasonable measures to ensure the confidentiality of patients. Yelling out someone's prescription is an obvious violation.

[boisewinesnob]

With all the HIPAA regualtions the last few years it shocks me that the pharmacy (or pharmacy tech) would be so careless. I found the following site that has a list of questions for consumers and also a way to file a complaint if you feel your privacy has been violated.

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/

As a former hospital employee, I agree. Definitely a HIPAA violation and should be brought to the pharmacy's attention.

[little_bopeep]

On the other side of the counter...

I was waiting for a prescription to be filled one day, as were 2 or 3 other folks. The tech behind the counter called out to a gentleman to let him know that his was ready, but to be sure she had the right patient, she asked him, "What are you waiting for?" He said, "Well, it's for Viagra." But the tech paused for a second and said, "Oh. I was really asking for the name on the 'script, but OK."

So the guy gets his meds and leaves....and we all fell down laughing when he was out of earshot. Poor guy. I guess he'll think twice before he answers a question like that again. :D

[mgs]

as a healthcare provider I can tell you that was definitely a HIPAA violation. Everyone that works in the healthcare field, no matter what their title, from pharmacy tech to hospital administrator has to follow the HIPAA guidlines. If you want to complain you have every right to. I don't blame your dd for not wanting to go back. (I have changed pharmacies for lesser reasons!!)

Sorry to hear this happened. People need to learn to be more sensitive. I say it about my fellow healthcare workers all the time. :(

Meg

[Angelina]

Ex pharmacy worker here. Absolute HIPAA violation. :eek:

Angela

[ClaraB]

As several others have said already, this was definitely a HIPAA violation :mad: . Your DD should not let this go - she should speak with the pharmacy manager and if she's not satisfied with the response, she should consider filing a complaint: File a Complaint (http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacyhowtofile.htm) .

[Sookie]

Thank you everyone!!

DD wrote a letter this morning. I'll let you know if we have a response. Because of her problems she was unable to make a direct phone call to the pharmacy, so we'll see what happens.

[MrsReber]

Whether or not it's part of some oath or industry ethics guidelines, it is CERTAINLY against HIPAA regulations. Health care providers must take reasonable measures to ensure the confidentiality of patients. Yelling out someone's prescription is an obvious violation.

I was going to say this very same thing! I work in the procurement department of a large corporation. When we enter into contracts for healthcare (we have on site doctors and such) we have to have HIPAA agreements signed. That is DEFINITELY against the regulations and you could probably report it to the manager.

In the pharmacy I go to, they have a spot where you are supposed to wait. There is a sign stating they are required to keep information confidential and they don't want the next person in line standing right behind the person being waited on.

[Escher]

"Well, it's for Viagra." ....and we all fell down laughing when he was out of earshot.


Why is that funny?

Just curious.

Would it be funny if a woman responded w/ infertility drugs?

[little_bopeep]

Why is that funny?

Just curious.

Would it be funny if a woman responded w/ infertility drugs?


No, not at all. What was funny was the situation--not the drug. He didn't have to blurt out the name of the drug, just his name. Of course, he couldn't know that since the clerk didn't make herself clear. Geeze, it was just a chuckle... sorry it was taken to refer to something non-PC. :confused:

[Escher]

So you are telling me if he answered "penicillin", you all would have burst out laughing just the same?

Maybe, but I'm dubious. It doesn't seem funny. I guess one had to be there.

[little_bopeep]

So you are telling me if he answered "penicillin", you all would have burst out laughing just the same?

Maybe, but I'm dubious. It doesn't seem funny. I guess one had to be there.

Yes, you would have had to be there. I should have expected no other response to my explanation, Killjoy. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: