It may not violate HIPAA to use a patient’s first and last name when staff call patients to come into the exam room from the waiting room, but it can sure cause privacy problems. Read HIV Patients Refused Medical Privacy by the University of California, in Spite … Here’s the background:
Alex went to see his physician in an HIV clinic operated by the University of California. This clinic provides medical care exclusively to patients with HIV and AIDS and apparently has a standard practice of calling patients to the exam room by their first and last names. On this visit another patient was able to look him up on Facebook in a matter of minutes while still in the waiting room. He quickly discovered where Alex worked and who his friends and family are. Then he did something very despicable: He solicited Alex for a sexual encounter, and when Alex refused, stating that he was in a committed relationship, the other patient threatened to tell everyone on his Facebook page about his HIV status.
Remember when you took a number at your bakery and waited for your number to be called? Why not a similar approach here?
Nurse: “Number 32?”
(Man stands up)
Nurse: “Jimmy, right?”