STD Reporting

[apcfan]

This may not be the proper place to ask this question but since this thread has some useful info on stds and the such i'll ask it here. What if someone tests positive for an std. How is that handled in the state of ms? Who is notified? work? Past Partners? and who does the notifying. Specifically would the state health dept/attending physician be at liberty to contact someones employer to report a new infection of certain diseases?

[vicinms]

Good question - hopefully we have some folks with Medical knowledge or first-hand experience on how cases are handled. I know that the HIPPA laws are very restrictive on the release of personal medical info but I would guess the importance of curbing the spread of STDs override that to some degree. I really can't see the person's employer being notified, but someone please enlighten us.

Moved from prior unrelated thread since this is more appropriate as a stand-alone topic!

[Guest101311]

oh good lord! if it is an STD involved, the person infected would be responsible to let all their past intimate encounters know. no employers are notified...

[vicinms]

Originally Posted by elegantbelinda

...the person infected would be responsible to let all their past intimate encounters know. no employers are notified...

So the infected person is responsible, not medical personnel?? Since there's no way for medical staff to know who a person has been with, I can't see any way for them to track, whether the proper notifications were made - scary!

[topsgt38801]

In most cases, it could depend upon where you were confirmed. At the health department , family physcian, etc. The health department in years past would not notify anyone, but would try and get a list of all known contacts you may have had sex with to follow up with them to be sure they are aware and seek testing and treatment.. That was info from a good friend of mine that retired from the Health department.I would assume under the new Hippa laws that a family physcian might make some of the same inquiries, but i would not think he could notify anyone except possibly the health department because of their responsibility to deal with STD outbreaks. That did not come up in our discussions so it is strictly supposition on my part. Even with the Hippa laws, family physcians may be required to report to state health officials the same as a gun shot wound must be reported to LE. As far as an employer, that would definitely be a no no even from the health department. No one besides possibly infected individuals would be made aware of possible infection.

[JxnBiLady]

Top is correct. I'm reposting this from the BBFS thread where the question was also posed.

To my knowledge and based on research of Mississippi Code, there are not any reporting requirements for partners. The physician has to notify the health department of the incidence, but I don't think the names are reported. According to MS Section 97-27-14, It is a crime to knowingly transmit HIV, Hepatitis B or C to another person. The only requirement is only a MORAL one, no legal requirement.
It would be a MAJOR Hippa violation for your doctor to notify ANYONE of your infection or for your employer to request that information. There are some reporting requirements to health care licensing boards by licensees (doctors, nurses, etc), but that's it. Of course, if you sign an authorization allowing a health care provider to release the information to someone, they can get the info.
There are some viral STDs and some bacterial. Bacterial are much more common than viral, thankfully. Viral: HIV, Hepatitis, Herpes, and HPV/Genital Warts. Herpes is the most common viral and can be treated with anti-virals which stop and prevent outbreaks. While technically "incurable", viral STDs are treatable. Bacterial infections are curable with antibiotics. Bacterial: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, and Trichomonas, Many people are asymptomatic with all of these. There are a few other less common bacterial infections.

Yes, I was a microbiologist, health care provider, and paralegal in a former life. LOL

[biomed1]

While it is true that the HIPAA provisions do protect Patient Information, the major thrust was to ensure that only those that had a "need to know" were able to receive "PPI". (Protected Patient Information)

The act came into law in 1996, and has had improvements/enhancements or changes made since then. HIPAA is very wide ranging, and includes Medical Equipment that is capable of transmitting PPI. This act instituted a great wave of security and accountability in regards to a Patients Health Information.

For those interested, HIPAA stands for Healthcare Information Portability and Accountability Act.

Should you be interested in more info, please google HIPAA. You will find a vast amount of information on the subject.

I apologise for hi-jacking the thread, but wanted to correct the common mis-spelling & perception of this law.

Be Careful & Enjoy!

Biomed1

[Guest101311]

lmao, vic think about it...would you want your clinic calling your employer...letting them know you had gotten the clap and that everyone that has used your office phone or touched your doorknob needs to be checked? i would be so friggin humiliated. i love the fact that we have medical confidentiality. i do believe that it is a different level is someone gets HIV tho. when a person finds out and continues to sleep around like they didnt have anything...it is considered a felony...

[JxnBiLady]

Yes, of course it is HIPAA - I had a brain fart while writing that. Trying to do too many things at one time.

Originally Posted by biomed1

While it is true that the HIPAA provisions do protect Patient Information, the major thrust was to ensure that only those that had a "need to know" were able to receive "PPI". (Protected Patient Information)

The act came into law in 1996, and has had improvements/enhancements or changes made since then. HIPAA is very wide ranging, and includes Medical Equipment that is capable of transmitting PPI. This act instituted a great wave of security and accountability in regards to a Patients Health Information.

For those interested, HIPAA stands for Healthcare Information Portability and Accountability Act.

Should you be interested in more info, please google HIPAA. You will find a vast amount of information on the subject.

I apologise for hi-jacking the thread, but wanted to correct the common mis-spelling & perception of this law.

Be Careful & Enjoy!

Biomed1