1. Can the phone number of a patient’s room be released as part of the facility directory?
2. Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule permit a hospital to inform callers or visitors of a patient’s location and general condition in the emergency room, even if the patient’s information would not normally be included in the main hospital directory of admitted patients?
3. Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule permit hospitals and other health care facilities to inform visitors or callers about a patient’s location in the facility and general condition?
4. Can the fact that a patient has been "treated and released," or that a patient has died, be released as part of the facility directory?
5. Are hospitals able to inform the clergy about parishioners in the hospital?
6. What information can be included in a facility directory?
7. Is it necessary to have a consent or authorization from the patient before including the information in a facility directory?
8. Must the patient be informed of the facility directory use and disclosure in writing and must the opt-out of the patient be in writing?
9. What do we do if we are unable to properly inform the patient due to the patient's condition?
10. Who is entitled to access the information in the facility directory?
11. Are health care providers required to inquire about and include the patient's religious affiliation in the directory?
12. Is it necessary to verify the identity of persons who claim to be members of the clergy?