HIPAA question

[crazybunnies88]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NH
I am an LNA, a few weeks back the elevator door closed shut on my arm. When I reported it, my facility ignored me. One week later a patient was struck by the elevator door and fell. She was my patient and I looked in her chart to see if it was documented that indeed the elevator did strike her. Did I violate HIPAA

 

[ecmst12]

Did you have a valid medical or business need to look up this information?

 

[crazybunnies88]

.....

Well my only need was to make sure it was documented before I contacted corporate. They did not fix the elevator, so I needed to know that she actually was hit by the elevator before I could complain that they did nothing. Thank you

 

[ecmst12]

So that is basically a no, you looked at this part of her file because of your own personal issues with maintenence on this elevator. That would technically be a violation.