SM Hospital and Ministers.

[JPC, Sr.]

At the Lexington Park Methodist Church today the Pastor said that the St. Mary's Hospital has just this Thursday April 6th issued its new rule that a patient's minister - Priest - Iman - Church representative, etc., can no longer visit the patient unless the patient first informs and request that the Hospital let the minister in to visit.

The Lex Park UMC Pastor said he walked out of the meeting when the Hospital made the announcement.

Here is St. Mary's Hospital link, FYI, but it does not have the info printed there that I can see.

This does seem like a piculiar rule for a St. Mary's County Hospital. It does seem like an affront to all religion. The UMC Pastor went on to say that he did not expect the rule to stand very long but he did not explain why so it is figured that the area Churches are giving some objection back to the Hospital.

I am thinking that the Hospital probably has some real reason for making such a rule, like many churches do oppose Doctors on Religious grounds. Like many Protestant Churches preach and pray for miracles, and Witnesses refuse their members from taking blood from Doctors, and Catholics will defy any Hospital about abortion issues, so maybe St. Mary's Hospital is starting its own holy war to get our Religions out of the system.

 

[JPC, Sr.]

Faith Without Works is dead.

I got a Karma message saying I am mis-representing this message from Pastor Ken but I do not think I am.

If anyone else knows about the issue then I would be happy to change my perception of it but for now I stand firm.

 

[itsbob]

At the Lexington Park Methodist Church today the Pastor said that the St. Mary's Hospital has just this Thursday April 6th issued its new rule that a patient's minister - Priest - Iman - Church representative, etc., can no longer visit the patient unless the patient first informs and request that the Hospital let the minister in to visit.

The Lex Park UMC Pastor said he walked out of the meeting when the Hospital made the announcement.

Here is St. Mary's Hospital link, FYI, but it does not have the info printed there that I can see.

This does seem like a piculiar rule for a St. Mary's County Hospital. It does seem like an affront to all religion. The UMC Pastor went on to say that he did not expect the rule to stand very long but he did not explain why so it is figured that the area Churches are giving some objection back to the Hospital.

I am thinking that the Hospital probably has some real reason for making such a rule, like many churches do oppose Doctors on Religious grounds. Like many Protestant Churches preach and pray for miracles, and Witnesses refuse their members from taking blood from Doctors, and Catholics will defy any Hospital about abortion issues, so maybe St. Mary's Hospital is starting its own holy war to get our Religions out of the system.

It's not strange, it's called HIPAA or is it HIPPA? It has to do with privacy issues. For one thing, unless the patient called and told the minister he/ she shouldn't even know you are there to be visited. And when we were at St Mary's a few weeks ago, they asked us if we would like a visit, and if we did any particular denomination, or anybody in particular..

Ministers are no longer allowed to look at the patient directory to see who in his flock is there.. it's called PRIVACY not a holy war.. MORON!

Stop trying to make problems where there aren't any.

 

[vraiblonde]

JPC, for crap's sake!

That's not a peculiar rule at all. ANYONE who visits a hospital patient must be cleared first. They don't just let people go wandering the halls, popping in on whoever they please. Ministers are no exception and I'd be surprised if this is a "new" rule.

 

[JPC, Sr.]

Faith Without Works is Dead.

It's not strange, it's called HIPAA or is it HIPPA?

That is what the Pastor called it too. He said it was a change in the rules and he walked out. Some do refer to it as HIPPA but, Here is a link,

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services - HIPAA.

And another link, What is HIPAA by Health Care Rec.

It has to do with privacy issues. For one thing, unless the patient called and told the minister he/ she shouldn't even know you are there to be visited. And when we were at St Mary's a few weeks ago, they asked us if we would like a visit, and if we did any particular denomination, or anybody in particular.

Apparently some think that it is a matter of religious liberty and not of privacy. The right to privacy does not ever mean the right to secrecy, and there is a big difference.

Ministers are no longer allowed to look at the patient directory to see who in his flock is there.. it's called PRIVACY not a holy war.. MORON!

The Hospital is using the law for Health Insurance to restrict ministers and clergy and calling it a privacy issue does not really fit the change or the situation.

Stop trying to make problems where there aren't any.

I am not really trying to make it a problem by telling people the "secret" as this is a big important change in the State that started religious freedom in the USA. Shutting out the clergy is not a private nor a secret matter and the Methodist minister thought it important enough to tell the info from the pulpit and I just tell it here on the SOMD community forum.

It makes sense to me.

 

[mv_princess]

That is what the Pastor called it too. He said it was a change in the rules and he walked out. Some do refer to it as HIPPA but, Here is a link,

U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services - HIPAA.

And another link, What is HIPAA by Health Care Rec.


Apparently some think that it is a matter of religious liberty and not of privacy. The right to privacy does not ever mean the right to secrecy, and there is a big difference.
The Hospital is using the law for Health Insurance to restrict ministers and clergy and calling it a privacy issue does not really fit the change or the situation.
I am not really trying to make it a problem by telling people the "secret" as this is a big important change in the State that started religious freedom in the USA. Shutting out the clergy is not a private nor a secret matter and the Methodist minister thought it important enough to tell the info from the pulpit and I just tell it here on the SOMD community forum.

It makes sense to me.

What does this have to do with you pretending to get into office?

Oh yes that's right.....................nothing.

 

[Railroad]

I finally figured out who this JPC guy reminds me of - a glue-sniffer I once knew who was on his way to the grave with too many dead brain cells. He and JPC would get along great - they're functioning on the same level.

 

[residentofcre]

Just a thought

I haven't read the particular rules but I wonder if this could be a matter of not wanting to upset the patients?

I mean if I were in the hospital, I would wonder if that preacher knew something about my prognosis if an unknown preacher came in and prayed over me.

Is this preacher going through the charts? Now that would be a privacy issue for sure.

Isn't it a foregone conclusion that prayer heals? My sister is a Nurse and she says that most Doctors appreciate the power of prayer as a healing force.

When I check into a hospital, my preacher knows. My preacher is my friend and friends are welcome to visit.

Just a question...

 

[MMDad]

I haven't read the particular rules but I wonder if this could be a matter of not wanting to upset the patients?

I mean if I were in the hospital, I would wonder if that preacher knew something about my prognosis if an unknown preacher came in and prayed over me.

Is this preacher going through the charts? Now that would be a privacy issue for sure.

Isn't it a foregone conclusion that prayer heals? My sister is a Nurse and she says that most Doctors appreciate the power of prayer as a healing force.

When I check into a hospital, my preacher knows. My preacher is my friend and friends are welcome to visit.

Just a question...

Before HIPAA, Clergy could walk into the hospital and ask to see a patient list. If they recognized someone on that list, they could ask to visit them.

Since HIPAA, the hospital can not give out names. If they are asked if someone is a patient, they can answer yes or no.

The old way: Preacher walks in and asks to see the list. Notices Backy's name and asks to see her.

New way: Becky or her family tell Preacher she's in the hospital. Preacher goes to hospital and asks to see her. Hospital verifies that Becky is seeing visitors and lets him in.

I prefer the new way. Why? I am a former Mormon. I have not been a Mormon in 25 years. They show up at my house all the time, trying to offer me "home teaching" or "verifying their records". They are persistent and they aggravate me. If I were hospitalized, I assume it would not be a good time to be stressed over some judgemental zealots. Under the old method, they could walk in, see my name, walk into the room, and start praying. Under the new method, I choose who and when I allow to minister to me.

 

[JPC, Sr.]

Faith Without Works Is Dead.

I haven't read the particular rules but I wonder if this could be a matter of not wanting to upset the patients?

I mean if I were in the hospital, I would wonder if that preacher knew something about my prognosis if an unknown preacher came in and prayed over me.

Is this preacher going through the charts? Now that would be a privacy issue for sure.

Isn't it a foregone conclusion that prayer heals? My sister is a Nurse and she says that most Doctors appreciate the power of prayer as a healing force.

When I check into a hospital, my preacher knows. My preacher is my friend and friends are welcome to visit.

Just a question...

The issue as I understand it is that this change is only at the St. Mary's Hospital, and it is using the HIPAA as a justification and that is the big controvercy. HIPAA is to protect health info but not to hide patients. The clergy might see that a "John Q. Public" is in the Hospital but can not see the medical records and so the St. Mary's Hospital is saying that it is hiding the patient's identity and particularly hiding it from any clergy. Perhaps it is hiding the names from everybody.

It sounded to me like it is directly related to stop religious clergy / ministers from access to their flock being in the Hospital. Thus I still suspect that the Hospital wants religion out because religion tells the medical profession where they are wrong. As believing in miracles, no blood transfusions, no abortions, and things like that. And if it is only St. Mary's Hospital then it is almost certainly because they had an incident where a clergy minister told a patient not to do as the irreligious Doctor ordered, but that is just speculation.

 

[BadGirl]

PUBLIC LAW 104-191
AUG. 21, 1996
HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996
Public Law 104-191
104th Congress

An Act
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

blah,, blah, blah. It is mandated nationwide, not just at poor 'lil St. Mary's Hospital.

 

[harleygirl]

The issue as I understand it is that this change is only at the St. Mary's Hospital, and it is using the HIPAA as a justification and that is the big controvercy. HIPAA is to protect health info but not to hide patients. The clergy might see that a "John Q. Public" is in the Hospital but can not see the medical records and so the St. Mary's Hospital is saying that it is hiding the patient's identity and particularly hiding it from any clergy. Perhaps it is hiding the names from everybody.

It sounded to me like it is directly related to stop religious clergy / ministers from access to their flock being in the Hospital. Thus I still suspect that the Hospital wants religion out because religion tells the medical profession where they are wrong. As believing in miracles, no blood transfusions, no abortions, and things like that. And if it is only St. Mary's Hospital then it is almost certainly because they had an incident where a clergy minister told a patient not to do as the irreligious Doctor ordered, but that is just speculation.

It is not just at St. Mary's, JPC. I worked there for several years, and can tell you personally that clergy are more than welcome to visit. I would personally call clergy in at the request of the physician if the patient agreed. My sis is in administration at Civista, and because of the new regs they follow the same procedures. Stop trying to

 

[JPC, Sr.]

Faith Without Works is Dead.

PUBLIC LAW 104-191
AUG. 21, 1996
HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996
Public Law 104-191
104th Congress

... ... blah,, blah, blah. It is mandated nationwide, not just at poor 'lil St. Mary's Hospital.

The HIPAA is nationwide but the HIPAA is to protect the privacy of health records and the problem here is that St. Mary's Hospital is using the HIPAA as an excuse to hide patients from the clergy. When ever some one enters the Hospital the receptionist has a list of all the patients so when a visitor ask if so-and-so is there or not then the receptionist looks at the list and confirms or not. So now the change is that they will not let the clergy see the list but is instead hiding the names and not letting the clergy see the list. This is the way I understand the change to be and it is only here at the St. Mary's Hospital because it is not a HIPAA rule but the Hospital has claimed HIPAA as the reason. So said the UMC Pastor.

Thus it appears to be a restriction on the religious privleges that have always been given to the clergy.

 

[kwillia]

So now the change is that they will not let the clergy see the list but is instead hiding the names and not letting the clergy see the list. This is the way I understand the change to be and it is only here at the St. Mary's Hospital because it is not a HIPAA rule but the Hospital has claimed HIPAA as the reason. So said the UMC Pastor.

Thus it appears to be a restriction on the religious privleges that have always been given to the clergy.

I think this new rule is as it should be. I would not want anyone to browse a list and upon seeing my name decide to invite themselves in for a visit. If I was in the hospital and wanted clergy to visit, I would invite the clergy.

 

[MMDad]

The HIPAA is nationwide but the HIPAA is to protect the privacy of health records and the problem here is that St. Mary's Hospital is using the HIPAA as an excuse to hide patients from the clergy. When ever some one enters the Hospital the receptionist has a list of all the patients so when a visitor ask if so-and-so is there or not then the receptionist looks at the list and confirms or not. So now the change is that they will not let the clergy see the list but is instead hiding the names and not letting the clergy see the list. This is the way I understand the change to be and it is only here at the St. Mary's Hospital because it is not a HIPAA rule but the Hospital has claimed HIPAA as the reason. So said the UMC Pastor.

Thus it appears to be a restriction on the religious privleges that have always been given to the clergy.

Here's a thought: read the law before spewing. By not letting clergy see the list, they are complying.

 

[BadGirl]

Here's a thought: read the law before spewing. By not letting clergy see the list, they are complying.

And it's not just the clergy that is prevented from seeing the patient roster, it is *anybody* who isn't entitled to that information. Only the doctors assigned to the patient's case is authorized to information on that patient. This mandate prevents nosey people from gaining access to information that isn't any of their business. Clergy.....janitors....the cafeteria staff.....etc.

If you've been to the doctor's office lately, you'd know that you are asked to sign a HIPAA waiver that allows the doctor's office to fax and/or communicate with your insurance carrier for payment and service. If the doctor's staff were to submit claims to your insurance carrier without your consent, they would be in violation of current HIPAA laws.

Again, it is not just St. Mary's Hospital that is complying with the law, and it is not intended to prevent clergy from tending to their congregation. However, the hositalized congregant must first contact their church and requests a visit from their minister/priest, not the old way where the church official could scan the patient roster.

If you want more details on the HIPAA laws, read it thoroughly. The privacy issue we've been discussing is just one aspect of the law.

 

[RoseRed]

I think this new rule is as it should be. I would not want anyone to browse a list and upon seeing my name decide to invite themselves in for a visit. If I was in the hospital and wanted clergy to visit, I would invite the clergy.

Since I don't have a clergy person in my life, the last hing I would want while being cooped up in the hospital is to be visited and recruited while in a vulnerable position. But then again, when I don't feel well, I am an extra special beyotch. But that's just me...

 

[MMDad]

Since I don't have a clergy person in my life, the last hing I would want while being cooped up in the hospital is to be visited and recruited while in a vulnerable position. But then again, when I don't feel well, I am an extra special beyotch. But that's just me...

Could you imagine... You just gave birth, kid is finally asleep, and you're about to get the only sleep in days. Knock knock? May I tell you how wrong your religious views are? HIPAA has problems, but this is not one of them!

 

[RoseRed]

Could you imagine... You just gave birth, kid is finally asleep, and you're about to get the only sleep in days. Knock knock? May I tell you how wrong your religious views are? HIPAA has problems, but this is not one of them!

Fortunately, my Mom was a bull dog and I had to reel her in a couple of times. But then again, I let her go a few times.

 

[Funky Brewster]

I can see now that most of you are against the Kingdom and Cause of Christ.
We are supposed to be sharing the good news with EVERYONE.
My pastor has seen more people saved when they are in the hospital than anywhere else.



Trust in the Lord!