Don't be passive about asking your Healthcare Professional if the office staff has been vax'd

[RicROC]

Earlier this week was a post about the encounter someone had a the dental office, the hygienist proclaimed she was taking Hydrochloroqine (Plaquenil). As a semi-retired health care professional, double vax'd, it made me think about how I would approach my upcoming doctor appointments.


1) The aforementioned hygienist was taking quite an aggressive stance in her reasoning not to be vax'd.
In return, we must NOT be passive in the face of these absurd actions.

2) I am calling all my doctors in advance of my visits to inquire if those (anyone) touching & treating me have been vax'd and stating I will not allow anyone not vax'd to treat me. (if you don't call ahead and walk out, they will charge you for an office visit)

3) Don't be surprised if the response from the office states that is against HIPPA regulations for anyone to divulge to you their vax status. You then have to make your own decision. Reason I say this is the office I work in, fill-in, will not allow me to wear a silocone bracelet stating I have been vaccinated. HIPPA, they say. sure.........

4) If the office does not wish to tell me of the doctor's/tech's/nurse/hygienist vax status, I might state that I DO NOT want anyone NOT vax'd to touch me. Have them enter your wish into your patient record. IF you discover your wishes had been violated, that is grounds for a malpractice lawsuit.

[tanyev]

1. Pretty sure there's no HIPAA provision preventing people from voluntarily disclosing their own

health info. There might be other reasons it's not a good idea, depending on the situation, but it's not HIPAA. I think your office is hiding behind HIPAA for their own reasons.

ETA: I'm referring to your #3.

[Hortensis]

5. Absolutely. We get to talk about our OWN medical stuff all we want.

And everyone working in medical offices knows that full well. They have to study HIPAA law and be tested. They can also always give permission to the practice, or hair salon, to reveal their vaccination status "if anyone asks."

[RicROC]

8. I have my bracelet on the counter in full view, but I don't wear it as per my boss.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Washington Post article on HIPPA and Covid-19....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/hipaa-vaccine-covid-privacy-violation/2021/05/22/f5f145ec-b9ad-11eb-a6b1-81296da0339b_story.html

[catrose]

3. That's what I'm doing. So far only my gp said yes, the whole office is vaxxed.

[PortTack]

4. Agree...

[ananda]

6. Monday I'm calling my dentist's office.

Thanks

[UTUSN]

7. Before the age limits were expanded, I asked my MD who said he was vaxed but staff wasn't.

I said I thought staff were eligible and he said that (at that time) finding appointments was near impossible and time consuming.

[RicROC]

9. but they are in a health care facility so everyone is eligible, in my opinion

It's a matter of (your) survival so they MUST find times for the staff to be vax'd. That's my way of thinking. They can't take your health for granted because it interferes with the routine of their office.