Woman Reported Her Clinic Receptionist After She Disclosed Her Pregnancy To Her Mom Via Text
Privacy is a crucial part of our everyday experiences. It protects our feelings and our personal life—it lets us feel safe as if we’re in this imaginary bubble that keeps us away from unnecessary stress. Though sometimes, we cross paths with ignorant people who are not willing to consider our boundaries. Yes, it’s somewhat acceptable to assume that at some point in our lifetime, someone who’s close to us will have the audacity to disrespect us, yet, we know that certain people such as professionals are legally bound to follow the confidentiality law.
Healthcare workers are thought to be the most trustworthy individuals since they are the first ones we come to whenever there is emotional or physical distress. They keep us alive—therefore, we are obligated to be transparent with them.
Usually, the majority of specialists and their employees tend to be private and confidential, considering that everyone is aware of what could potentially happen if they would breach the confidentiality agreement, but this 20-year-old woman has a different story to tell:
More info: reddit.com
Confidentiality is a #1 law amongst any professionals
Image credits: Army Medicine (not the actual photo)
TAbabyblabbermouth, a Reddit user, opened up a discussion on the “Am I The A-Hole” subreddit, asking the online community whether she would be the bad guy for reporting a family friend who outed her pregnancy to her place of work.
In a nutshell, Tababyblabbermouth found out that she was expecting, even though she was taking an oral contraceptive. To confirm the pregnancy, she made an appointment with her nearest and highest-rated OB—but when the appointment day finally arrived, she became “immediately concerned” since the woman behind the desk turned out to be Tababyblabbermouth’s mother’s old friend.
And this is the story all about how the receptionist ended up breaching a privacy rule
Image credits: u/TAbabyblabbermouth
Tababyblabbermouth mentioned that the women aren’t close anymore—however, they’ve known each other since high school, and they do occasionally contact each other.
Since the future mother wasn’t ready to share the exciting news with anyone other than her partner yet, she began panicking—but her boyfriend was quick to assure her that the woman wouldn’t be able to share anything without Tababyblabbermouth’s consent.
But unfortunately, when Tababyblabbermouth got home, her mother was already aware of the news as her old high school friend had already congratulated her over text.
Many users agreed on the fact that not only did that woman break the privacy and security laws, but she also stole an incredibly valuable and meaningful moment from Tababyblabbermouth, as she should’ve been able to announce the news at her own time and pace.
Some commenters also speculate that the woman did this deliberately, as the future mother couldn’t possibly have had the time to share the news with her family, even if she wanted to, as the text was sent way before Tababyblabbermouth arrived home.
The fact that after the appointment, the receptionist intentionally checked the medical records just to see the result doesn’t sit right with the online community, and it makes people wonder if this is an ongoing thing that the receptionist has been practicing, or was it done purely because of the fact that Tababyblabbermouth was a daughter of a friend.
Either way, Tababyblabbermouth explained that she was lucky enough to have such a supportive family. Yet, she has also expressed her concern towards families with different kinds of relationships, who could’ve potentially reacted in an entirely different way.
Tababyblabbermouth also makes sure to mention that she completely understands that the employee crossed the line, although she feels that it doesn’t seem right to report her as it could potentially get her fired, which is why she took it over to Reddit for some guidance.
Considering the Reddit community, the majority of users agree with the fact that this situation is a strict HIPAA violation. People are furious and are voicing their concerns, asking Tababyblabbermouth to immediately contact her OB office.
Some folks shared similar stories about the same lack of privacy from professionals. Many users also pointed out that there could’ve been piles of issues with this kind of “gossip,” as different people have different plans and circumstances.
However, soon after, Tababyblabbermouth edited the post and told the fellow readers that she decided to report the receptionist to her OB.
Tababyblabbermouth also stated that she will make sure to explain the whole situation, as she wants the healthcare employees to know that nothing awful happened to her and that she is reporting this matter purely out of concern for future patients with different background stories.
Shortly after the story was posted, the Reddit users received an update where Tababyblabbermouth mentioned that she reported the woman to her OB—to which they said that they take situations like this very seriously.
The online community agreed with the OP and encouraged her to report the receptionist
In 5 days, the thread received 17,500 upvotes, 2,400 comments and a fiery discussion regarding this unethical circumstance. We’re eager to see what you think of this situation, so let us know in the comment section below!
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NTA. Women in abusive relationships are most likely to be killed when pregnant or trying to leave. This person put her life at risk by breaking confidentiality. She should lose her job immediately.
From the Reddit posts: The OP had abusive situations in mind. Which shows that she is far more mature than the receptionist close to her mother's age.
Load More Replies...This is why i hate this Karen thing!!! Suddenly whatever happens and we complain we are Karens? This was very serious and she was right to complain!!! Enough with this Karen thing that is another way to silence women!
The term for karens and kyles was suppose to be about calling out the truly racist, horrible arrogant people. But now it just seems like people (men) like to use it because they're excited that they now have a new insulting phrase they like to give to women.
Load More Replies...HIPAA violation = federal crime. Report! Suppose there was a married woman and the receptionist congratulated the husband by phone, only to find out they were in the middle of an acrimonious divorce. Violence could result.
This receptionist is the same age as the mother of that 20y.o girl, she should know better , and I bet she knows that she broke a law, but still did it. There is no excuse for that and she should never work anywhere where she can put someone confidential information at risk. By the way the 20 y.o girl handled it like a champ!
I think the receptionist told the mom to make sure OP would be given a hard time if she chose to abort.
Load More Replies...What if you were planning an abortion ? or you had very religious strict parents that may harm you if they found out you were sexually active and pregnant. ? What if you were rapped or had an abusive boyfriend. This woman crossed the line and should be fired immediately.
Exactly. I kept thinking the same. What if she doesnt want to keep the kid and the parents are religious nuts? Or the sex was not consensual?
Load More Replies...That woman should be fired immediately. I’ve worked in the medical field and privacy is sacred.
My mom had this type of job and it is definitely a huge issue. Just like the OP said, that could be very dangerous in a different circumstance. Also, there is a lot of joy in telling people you are pregnant. This woman robbed them of that. Plus, what if she had wanted an abortion and wanted to keep it private?
Good god, what an utterly atrocious breach of professional standards and common courtesy! When my sister was pregnant I and everyone else in the immediate family were expressly asked to keep it to ourselves because she and her husband wanted to announce it in their own time, once they were sure the pregnancy was viable. A lot of people take the same precaution - and what if this lady had decided not to keep the baby and her family didn't approve of abortions? It could have caused YEARS of family strife or even estrangement. This is just the height of irresponsibility and should definitely have consequences.
Not sure what the rules are in the USA, but as an MD in the Netherlands I’m not allowed to open medical files of patients when I’m not directly part of the team treating them. Receptionists have access to patient records, but only so far as to see personal details and appointment times etc, definitely NOT medical information. What possible reason could there be for a receptionist to have access to the results of a patients pregnancy test?
as I understand it, the op had gotten a goodie bag that the patients get from the ob when they are pregnant. Therefore the receptionist knew that the op was pregnant the op said this in the original reddit post
Load More Replies...NTA. Women in abusive relationships are most likely to be killed when pregnant or trying to leave. This person put her life at risk by breaking confidentiality. She should lose her job immediately.
From the Reddit posts: The OP had abusive situations in mind. Which shows that she is far more mature than the receptionist close to her mother's age.
Load More Replies...This is why i hate this Karen thing!!! Suddenly whatever happens and we complain we are Karens? This was very serious and she was right to complain!!! Enough with this Karen thing that is another way to silence women!
The term for karens and kyles was suppose to be about calling out the truly racist, horrible arrogant people. But now it just seems like people (men) like to use it because they're excited that they now have a new insulting phrase they like to give to women.
Load More Replies...HIPAA violation = federal crime. Report! Suppose there was a married woman and the receptionist congratulated the husband by phone, only to find out they were in the middle of an acrimonious divorce. Violence could result.
This receptionist is the same age as the mother of that 20y.o girl, she should know better , and I bet she knows that she broke a law, but still did it. There is no excuse for that and she should never work anywhere where she can put someone confidential information at risk. By the way the 20 y.o girl handled it like a champ!
I think the receptionist told the mom to make sure OP would be given a hard time if she chose to abort.
Load More Replies...What if you were planning an abortion ? or you had very religious strict parents that may harm you if they found out you were sexually active and pregnant. ? What if you were rapped or had an abusive boyfriend. This woman crossed the line and should be fired immediately.
Exactly. I kept thinking the same. What if she doesnt want to keep the kid and the parents are religious nuts? Or the sex was not consensual?
Load More Replies...That woman should be fired immediately. I’ve worked in the medical field and privacy is sacred.
My mom had this type of job and it is definitely a huge issue. Just like the OP said, that could be very dangerous in a different circumstance. Also, there is a lot of joy in telling people you are pregnant. This woman robbed them of that. Plus, what if she had wanted an abortion and wanted to keep it private?
Good god, what an utterly atrocious breach of professional standards and common courtesy! When my sister was pregnant I and everyone else in the immediate family were expressly asked to keep it to ourselves because she and her husband wanted to announce it in their own time, once they were sure the pregnancy was viable. A lot of people take the same precaution - and what if this lady had decided not to keep the baby and her family didn't approve of abortions? It could have caused YEARS of family strife or even estrangement. This is just the height of irresponsibility and should definitely have consequences.
Not sure what the rules are in the USA, but as an MD in the Netherlands I’m not allowed to open medical files of patients when I’m not directly part of the team treating them. Receptionists have access to patient records, but only so far as to see personal details and appointment times etc, definitely NOT medical information. What possible reason could there be for a receptionist to have access to the results of a patients pregnancy test?
as I understand it, the op had gotten a goodie bag that the patients get from the ob when they are pregnant. Therefore the receptionist knew that the op was pregnant the op said this in the original reddit post
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