Question 1

if i went to er solely for panic attack & dr saw injection marks, then asked who prescribes  my pain meds, can he/she alert my pain doctor? hippa law?

Accepted Answer

HIPPA: HIPPA allows exceptions to confidentiality if you are an imminent risk to yourself or others.  I strongly urge you to seek behavioral health treatment in addition to your medical treatment.  The ER of your physician can give you a referral to a psychologist.  
Dr. Kathy Seifert

Question 2

what good is hippa rights if all drs. have access to personal information even stafff knows my health issues ?

Accepted Answer

HIPAA: Even if a facility uses an electronic health record system, that is not an open invitation for any one physician or staff member to peruse your record. The bottom line, is that provider / staff would need to have a bonafide reason to access your record.

Question 3

my 19 month old was nipped by my in laws sausage dog. he's skin was pierced but not deep and it seems to be bruising. should i take him to er?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Dog with shots including rabies + minor wound=no. No shots, big wound=yes. These wounds do have a risk of forming a bacterial infection from mouth germs. Proper clean out and monitoring for redness/swelling or drainage can spot this early. This can be monitored at home.

Question 4

my brother in law got sudden dizziness, then followed by nausea, now shaking. we took him to the er and we still have no answers. what could this be?

Accepted Answer

Migraine?: Some patients get vertigo, nausea, sweaty, chills, pale, weak all due to a migraine without headache.  This can also be due to virus or toxic reactions.  Er would exclude acute serious disorder, but good medical evaluation by primary doctor seems appropriate.

Question 5

my brother in law had an epeleptic fit, he hit his head realy head during the fit.  he has been complaining of major headache, eyes hurting.  he has been sleeping for 3 days and nights, not having an apetite and vomiting.  should we take him to er?

Accepted Answer

Would be prudent: Generalized seizures can place the patient at risk for injury, and your description causes my concern.  He may or may not have sustained a subdural hematoma, as the sleep and vomiting might be indicative of intracranial pressure.  Yes, get this addressed now in a local emergency department.

Question 6

brother in law went to er, could not breathe, felt like he was filling up with liquid, hospital said heart enzymes were high, released him with meds & told him to see a doctor, what could be his problem? he hasn't seen a doctor in 30 years!

Accepted Answer

Makes no sense:: 1- has not seen a physician in 30 years- no basis of comparison.
2- he was discharged with elevated cardiac enzymes and shortness of breath?
I suggest a cardiology consultation.

Question 7

my 68 yr old mother in law has sudden onset flashing,  zig zagging lights in left eye. no prior history of migraine or stroke, no high bp or any other conditions,  not on medication, no other symptoms. under a lot of stress. er or can it wait ?

Accepted Answer

Eye exam or ER: If a new vision symptom pops up, one should see her primary care doctor and/or an ophthalmologist (MD eye doctor). Vision is vitally important, so it is good to have a doctor get the whole story and examine the eyes. That said, sudden onset flashing and zigzag lights in an elderly person means an Ophthalmologist exam right away (may need to go through the ER) to make sure the retina is still ok.

Question 8

health law preventing health disparities ?

Accepted Answer

On the contrary.: The primary cause of health disparities in the us is related to poor access to care based on low socioeconomic status. Basic services such as education, fire protection, police, etc. Are not related to employment, and yet health insurance access is primarily related to our jobs.  If we truly believe in health care as a basic right, we need to develop a system of access for all.

Question 9

how can i help brother in law lose weight?

Accepted Answer

Fitness partners: This is perfect. You want to help him. You must be a nice guy. He must be a nice guy. You're both fitness-conscious. You both commit to run five miles a day together, every day. It'll bond you. You also eat together and you choose the menu. Exercising normalizes a guy's appetite anyway. You'll get healthy and everybody will say what a great family you are.

Question 10

are health care providers required by law to charge the copay?

Accepted Answer

Insurance co-pays: I cannot know about every state and every insurance company, but to the best of my knowledge yes. And why wouldn't they even if they were not required? Health care providers who participate in these plans are generally receiving less than their normal private fees anyway.

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Doctor answers about:

Hippa privacy law er

A member asked:

If i went to er solely for panic attack & dr saw injection marks, then asked who prescribes my pain meds, can he/she alert my pain doctor? hippa law?

A member asked:

What good is hippa rights if all drs. have access to personal information even stafff knows my health issues ?

A member asked:

My 19 month old was nipped by my in laws sausage dog. he's skin was pierced but not deep and it seems to be bruising. should i take him to er?

A member asked:

My brother in law got sudden dizziness, then followed by nausea, now shaking. we took him to the er and we still have no answers. what could this be?

A member asked:

My brother in law had an epeleptic fit, he hit his head realy head during the fit. he has been complaining of major headache, eyes hurting. he has been sleeping for 3 days and nights, not having an apetite and vomiting. should we take him to er?

A member asked:

Brother in law went to er, could not breathe, felt like he was filling up with liquid, hospital said heart enzymes were high, released him with meds & told him to see a doctor, what could be his problem? he hasn't seen a doctor in 30 years!

A member asked:

My 68 yr old mother in law has sudden onset flashing, zig zagging lights in left eye. no prior history of migraine or stroke, no high bp or any other conditions, not on medication, no other symptoms. under a lot of stress. er or can it wait ?

A member asked:

Health law preventing health disparities ?

A member asked:

How can i help brother in law lose weight?

A member asked:

Are health care providers required by law to charge the copay?

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