RE: Clergy

[Brandt, Cynthia]

Title: RE: Clergy

As a member of the clergy, I can say that this will be a major training issue for hospitals and nursing homes. The clergy have a historic relationship to hospitals and nursing homes that grants them several privileges (such as visiting after hours). The clergy are often seen as a part of the 'healing' community and hospital staff will treat them as peers when it comes to information that would otherwise be confidential. 

 

Many hospitals and nursing homes already have patients check-off a release of information specifically for their parish clergy. You don't want this to apply to all clergy who visit the patient because some are uninvited. 

 

It also is complicated by the religious training of the individual staff members. Depending upon their own religious background and experiences, they may be more or less likely to divulge information regardless of HIPAA. 

 

Speaking from my own experiences, I believe that the clergy can be an ally to medical professionals, helping to address spiritual concerns that spill over into the psychological and physical. I have often shown up at a bedside only knowing that the person is 'sick'. Not knowing the extent of the 'sickness', it is pretty easy to be mislead by the patient/parishioner who is in a state of denial or misunderstanding about their condition.

-----Original Message-----
From: Deborah Campbell [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 12:27 PM
To: 'Ribelin, Donald';
Subject: RE: Clergy

I just joined this listserve and let me say thanks for all your help in the future.

I would say no. The key to the BA Agreement is you have them with those entities who use PHI on your behalf. The clergy (that are not your chaplains) are there on their church member's behalf. Your staff would need to be trained not to disclose info to them like they were staff. But no BA should be needed.

Deborah Campbell
Compliance Coordinator

Dominion Dental Services, Inc.
115 South Union Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Phn: (703) 518-5000 ext. 3035
Fax: (703) 518-8849
Toll Free:  888-518-5338
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

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-----Original Message-----
From: Ribelin, Donald [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 1:34 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Clergy

Is a BA agreement required between the hospital and the clergy who visit
their church members?  I am not speaking of the Chaplain's (acting as
volunteers or employees of the hospital.)  What other clergy related issues
should we be concerned with?

Donald L. Ribelin
HIPAA Project Manager
Firsthealth of the Carolinas
(910) 215-2668
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

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