Rx2000HIPAA Digest, Volume 11 > > #1 From: TZanis@gsrmc.dcnhs.org Subject: Re: Cell Phones > #2 From: cjackson@med1.the-med.org Subject: RE: Cell Phones > #3 From: dafeinberg@home.com Subject: Upcoming HIPAA SDO Open Meetings > #4 From: DSHAW@mail.mcg.edu Subject: Re: RE: Cell Phones > #5 From: steve@davislogic.com Subject: RE: Cell Phones > #6 From: Vic.Sands@Camcare.com Subject: RE: Cell Phones > #7 From: mmirsky@slrhc.org Subject: Re: Cell Phones > #8 From: Brenda.Plaag@danhosp.org Subject: RE: Cell Phones > > > ********** Message #1 ********** > From: TZanis@gsrmc.dcnhs.org > To: > Subject: Re: Cell Phones > Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 10:33:23 -0500 > > We prohibit any use of cell phones at our hospital. But note that it is = > only within the buildings. The rule came into effect years ago when it = > was thought the transmissions may interfere with some medical equipment, = > not because of privacy issues. > > Therefore, that would not prevent a physician or other healthcare provider = > from discussing patient information on a cell phone when outside our = > buildings. > > Tina K. Zanis > Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center > Pottsville, PA > tzanis@gsrmc.dcnhs.org > 570-621-4101 > > >>> 04/20/00 06:41PM >>> > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use for = > Cell > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly throughout= > > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be used > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. I > have two questions > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > employees? > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in place? > Thank You. > > > Margaret Chuman > PeaceHealth > 425.649.3871 > > > > > ********** Message #2 ********** > From: cjackson@med1.the-med.org > To: Rx2000HIPAA > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > Date: 24 Apr 00 09:50:51 +0000 > > Cell phone use is not allowed in the hospital for more than security > reasons. Cell phone signals affect the monitoring equipment in the intensive > care areas and could pose a significant danger to the patients. > Catresa Jackson > Regional Medical Center at Memphis > 901-545-7292 > Rx2000HIPAA wrote: > > > >I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use for > Cell > >Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly > throughout > >hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be > used > >to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > >regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. > I > >have two questions > > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > >employees? > > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in > place? > >Thank You. > > > > > >Margaret Chuman > >PeaceHealth > >425.649.3871 > > > > > > > > > > > ********** Message #3 ********** > From: dafeinberg@home.com > To: rx2000hipaa@rx2000.org > Subject: Upcoming HIPAA SDO Open Meetings > Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2000 14:25:48 -0700 > > For those of you who may be interested, the following regular Standards > Development Organization (SDO) meetings are scheduled over the next six > weeks. These SDO's have responsibility for various portions of the > HIPAA transactions. Their meetings are open to all -- for an attendance > fee -- and are the best places to learn about HIPAA transactions as well > as influence their future directions. Sessions for newcomers are > provided at each of the meetings. > > SDO: NCPDP -- Retail Pharmacy Claims > Meeting Dates: 10-12 May > Meeting Location: Scottsdale, Arizona > Web Site for Further Information: www.ncpdp.org > > SDO: HL7 -- Claims Attachments > Meeting Dates: 22-26 May > Meeting Location: Cleveland, Ohio > Web Site for Further Information: www.hl7.org > > SDO: X12 -- Bulk of HIPAA Transactions > Meeting Dates: 4-9 June > Meeting Location: Washington, DC > Web Site for Further Information: www.disa.org > > > > Dave Feinberg > Co-Chair, HIPAA Implementation Work Group > Insurance Subcommittee > Accredited Standards Committee X12 > Voting Member, HL7 and X12 > Rensis Corporation [A Consulting Company] > 206-617-1717 > DAFeinberg@computer.org > > ********** Message #4 ********** > From: DSHAW@mail.mcg.edu > To: > Subject: Re: RE: Cell Phones > Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 09:24:36 -0400 > > This is a hot topic but one that centers around the urban legend of the = > cell phone interference driving the wheelchair bound patient off the = > cliff. Years ago when cellular service was sparse and it took a greater = > amount of power to communicate, in this case 3 watts power out, there was = > the possibility of interference. Today, with the increase of towers = > (almost everywhere you look), the technology (particularly digital) has = > reduced the power to one - one hundredths of a watt (or less). I would be = > hard pressed to believe there to be a possibility of interference here. = > In fact, several of our service providers have installed (at our approval) = > additional transmitters to improve cellular coverage throughout the = > hospital & clinics. Our Emergency Room has 36 cell phones they use to = > conduct their business. We do limit access (off limits in some areas) but = > for the most part, cellular service is almost impossible to police. Where = > I found it to be an impact was a great reduction in pay phone revenue for = > us. At our best, we took in about $100K in a single years revenue. Now = > its down around $35K and dropping. If there is a good reason for limiting = > cellular, this is mine. > > Dwain Shaw > Director of Information Services > Medical College of Georgia > (706) 721-4405 > > >>> 04/21 7:37 AM >>> > > > This is a hot topic. A couple years back, the hospital looked at > and reviewed cellular and other wireless communications devices and > addressed some concerns regarding what could be affected. Our policy > basicly stated that cellular phones were permitted in our Main Lobby, > Cafeteria, Doctor's Lounge and Ground Floor Meeting Rooms. In all other > areas, cellular phones are to be turned off due to the possiblity of > interference with electrical medical equipment that could result in harm = > to > our patients. Our bio-medical equipment company has a list of frequencies > that could effect medical equipment we own if the signal is transmitting = > at > close range. All our entrances into the building have signs posted to > turn-off cell phones while in building. In the event of cmmunications > failure, limited number of cell phones are brought to the nursing units to > use for necessary calls. By limiting there usage in the building, we have > increased our confidentiality concerns as well as other issues indirectly. > Enforcement of the policy is done by all staff members. > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [SMTP:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org]=20 > > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 6:41 PM > > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org=20 > > Subject: Cell Phones > > > > > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use for > > Cell > > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly > > throughout > > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be = > used > > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. = > I > > have two questions > > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > > employees? > > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in = > place? > > Thank You. > > > > > > Margaret Chuman > > PeaceHealth > > 425.649.3871 > > > > > > > > ********** Message #5 ********** > From: steve@davislogic.com > To: > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 09:45:04 -0400 > > I had a recent hospital visit and brought my phone and laptop so that I > could keep working. Years earlier laptops were prohibited but these no > longer were an issue. However, the cell phone was banned so I put it away - > only to find that all the doctor's were taking cell phone calls in my room > and at the nurses station. I assume that this is a typical enforcement > problem... > > The word is that wireless is going to explode with wireless PDAs, laptops, > and Dick Tracy wrist phones becoming common place. It would be interesting > to see some solid research on interference, if any, from these devises on > medical and hospital equipment. > > Steve Davis > Principal, DavisLogic, Inc. > http://www.DavisLogic.com > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [mailto:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > > Sent: April 21, 2000 8:03 AM > > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > > > > > > > > We prohibit the use of all cell phones within the hospital. This was done > > primarily to eliminate the risk of electromagnetic interference with our > > medical equipment, such as telemetry. The new digital phones are > > much more > > secure (privacy) and low-power than the old bag phones, but we > > have no plans > > to lift the prohibition. > > > > We are considering the "very low power" digital wireless units > > that operate > > on our own PBX. They appear to be a very good alternative to cell phones. > > They don't work if you leave the hospital, but that helps them from being > > stolen. > > > > Vic Sands > > Project Management Office > > Charleston Area Medical Center, Inc. > > 3000 MacCorkle Ave, SE > > Charleston, WV 25304 > > Vic.Sands@camcare.com > > 304-348-9033 (voice) > > 304-348-5553 (fax) > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [mailto:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 6:41 PM > > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > > Subject: Cell Phones > > > > > > > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in > > use for Cell > > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly > > throughout > > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be used > > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. I > > have two questions > > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > > employees? > > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in place? > > Thank You. > > > > > > Margaret Chuman > > PeaceHealth > > 425.649.3871 > > > > > > > ********** Message #6 ********** > From: Vic.Sands@Camcare.com > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 09:51:27 -0400 > > We prohibit the use of all cell phones within the hospital. This was done > primarily to eliminate the risk of electromagnetic interference with our > medical equipment, such as telemetry. The new digital phones are much more > secure (privacy) and low-power than the old bag phones, but we have no plans > to lift the prohibition. > > We are considering the "very low power" digital wireless units that operate > on our own PBX. They appear to be a very good alternative to cell phones. > They don't work if you leave the hospital, but that helps them from being > stolen. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [mailto:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > Sent: Friday, April 21, 2000 8:50 AM > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > > > > I too am interested in this subject and would appreciate any information you > can share with me. Also, does anyone know of any potential problems with > using cell phones in a hospital setting. I am aware of some hospitals > banning the use of cell phones and we are considering what our position > should be on this issue. Thank You > Daryl J. Duenkel > Director of Information Services > St. Joseph's Community Hospital of West Bend, Inc. > dduenkel@stjosephswb.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [mailto:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 5:41 PM > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: Cell Phones > > > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use for Cell > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly throughout > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be used > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. I > have two questions > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > employees? > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in place? > Thank You. > > > Margaret Chuman > PeaceHealth > 425.649.3871 > > > > ********** Message #7 ********** > From: mmirsky@slrhc.org > To: > Subject: Re: Cell Phones > Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 10:11:31 -0500 > > > Most hospitals discourage the use of cell phones for reasons of > potential interference with medical equipment and that should take > care of any privacy issues. Once someone is out of the hospital, > there isn't much one can do. Of course, it takes some reaonably > spoecialized equipment to "eavedrop" on a cell phone coversation, and > even some tenacity if an outsider wanted to find some specific > information on a specific patient, so I think the odds are pretty > small of breaching privacy in this manner. Elevator and corridor > conversations are probably the biggest problem. > > Certainly, anyone who uses a cell phone, or cordless phone, should > realize that they are talking on a radion and as such their > conversations can be intercepted. > > > ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ > Subject: Cell Phones > Author: at ccinternet > Date: 4/20/00 3:41 PM > > > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use for Cell > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly throughout > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may be used > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed in > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding confidentiality. I > have two questions > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > employees? > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in place? > Thank You. > > > Margaret Chuman > PeaceHealth > 425.649.3871 > > > > > ********** Message #8 ********** > From: Brenda.Plaag@danhosp.org > To: "'Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org'" > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 10:47:11 -0400 > > We just implemented the "very low power" digital wireless units. We had to > label them with a red sticker so that Hospital staff knew they were the "ok" > kind of cell phones, and that regular cell phones are still not allowed. > > We developed an etiquette policy for use of the phones, but people still > answer them in the middle of a meeting without excusing themselves to a more > appropriate location. I've been receiving numerous complaints from other > Hospital staff that patient-specific conversations are occurring in the > cafeteria and other inappropriate locations. We've received complaints from > a couple of patients stating that their nurse stepped outside the room to > answer the call, but specific information could still be heard. > > So, I guess the answer to the question is yes, they do increase your > confidentiality issues. > > Brenda L. Plaag, RHIA > Information Security Manager > Information Technology Group > Danbury Health Systems > Phone: (203)797-7693 > E-mail: Brenda.Plaag@danhosp.org > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [SMTP:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > Sent: Friday, April 21, 2000 8:03 AM > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: RE: Cell Phones > > > We prohibit the use of all cell phones within the hospital. This > was done > primarily to eliminate the risk of electromagnetic interference with > our > medical equipment, such as telemetry. The new digital phones are > much more > secure (privacy) and low-power than the old bag phones, but we have > no plans > to lift the prohibition. > > We are considering the "very low power" digital wireless units that > operate > on our own PBX. They appear to be a very good alternative to cell > phones. > They don't work if you leave the hospital, but that helps them from > being > stolen. > > Vic Sands > Project Management Office > Charleston Area Medical Center, Inc. > 3000 MacCorkle Ave, SE > Charleston, WV 25304 > Vic.Sands@camcare.com > 304-348-9033 (voice) > 304-348-5553 (fax) > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org [mailto:Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org] > Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 6:41 PM > To: Rx2000HIPAA@rx2000.org > Subject: Cell Phones > > > > I would appreciate any assistance in regard to the policies in use > for Cell > Phones. I think that the use of cell phones has extended broadly > throughout > hospitals generally and I fear that in certain situations they may > be used > to discuss patient care issues. Since Cell Phones are not guaranteed > in > regard to privacy there is a growing concern regarding > confidentiality. I > have two questions > 1. Do you restrict use to certain areas and certain groups of > employees? > 2. If you allow them to be used what policies do you have in > place? > Thank You. > > > Margaret Chuman > PeaceHealth > 425.649.3871 > > >