jmcquown wrote:

> Yeah, HIPPA, good or bad? I understand not telling employers about health
> problems but family members? Everyone is entitled to their privacy but in
> some cases I think it's warranted to tell next of kin, siblings, etc. what
> is going on.
>
LOL, you can't imagine the drama some families have going on. So in some
cases not all family members are entitled to individualized
explanations. That is what the next of kin can handle, perhaps others as
the patient desires. Some people have wives, girlfriends, "fiancees"
(all at the same time!) not to mention children and relatives alll
claiming to be closest to the patient yet they've not seen each other in
years. It gets complicated at times. When the patient is comatose and
can't talk for himself and tell us his wishes or who to give his
information to, we have to punt sometimes.