HIPAA issues

A hospital in our area recently changed its policy regarding inmates. They are saying that if an inmate is sent to the hospital, the hospital staff cannot contact the jail once the inmate is to be released from the hospital and therefore another warrant has to be issued for their arrest before that person returns to jail. I’m trying to do research on where in the HIPAA law this is stated.

NCCHC is not aware of such practice. The standard on Continuity of Care (E-12) requires that when an inmate returns from an emergency room visit (or hospital stay), the physician sees the patient, reviews the discharge orders and issues follow-up orders as clinically indicated. You should consult with legal counsel to check for local statute or regulation that may impact on this issue.

— From CorrectCare Volume 27, Issue 1, Winter 2013

HIPAA issues

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