In the state of Alabama they do mandatory drug tests to both mother and child at the time of birth no questions.

They don't have to have permission to test the babies but they have to inform me of anything they are doing to me and that didn't happen

@nurseriri, unfortunately, they are allowed to do the testing without asking permission or informing her first. You also have a fab day.

@natesgirl, @nurseriri actually it was not a violation of hipaa, nor an invasion of privacy for the twins to have been drug screened. In 2003, US congress amended the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to establish procedures by each state to develop a safe plan for newborns exposed to illicit drugs in utero. The act leaves the decision on which babies should be tested with the healthcare provider. Because of this, a doctor may order drug screening of a newborn without seeking parental consent first.

I had a feeling someone was screwing with you. is that even legal for them to do that without your permission? I'd be getting some people fired or something

@levleah, ok hun. Plus was giving from my nursing point of view also. At the end of it she needed to make an informed decision and that wasn't the case. She needs to speak to someone. Have a fab day.

@nurseriri, I was not referring to the medical ethics board, but simply trying to explain in layman's terms the types of help a patient advocate may be able to facilitate. And I'm not sure how they run things at your hospital, but at mine, which is a University/state run hospital, patient advocates are volunteers.

@natesgirl, that's a big deal cause they invaded your privacy. Not right.

I wasn't informed at all @nurseriri

@natesgirl, did you do the test freely after being informed what it was for? Forget about who told them for a minute. Before any treatment you need to be thoroughly informed of what it is for and why it is done. At least that's what i do with my patients. I always informed them and then it's up to them to decide ya or na. And you're not court appointed to have blood test done for drug screening. So again you have your rights

@natesgirl, first step is speak to whoever the nurse manager is. If nothing speak to customer service at the hospital and then you go from there. It's not an ethical issue as far as I'm reading. The ethics committee is definitely not a volunteer person or group in the hospital @levleah An ethical issue for example is a patient having a do not resuscitate will and the family wants them on life support or a person whose brain dead and the family wants all medical interventions done. That's when the ethics committee gets involved. I would suggest if you feel that you were treated unfairly there's always customer service and as a patient you have a right to refuse. Good luck

it's usually a volunteer at the hospital who essentially represents you when you have ethical issues while receiving medical treatment. Maybe ask your nurse if your hospital has any patient advocates... they're there to help fight for your rights when you believe you've been treated unfairly

What is that @levleah , one of the nurses is going to try and get everything straightened out, she said she had another girl that the same thing happened to

whoa... what is going on?! You should ask for a patient advocate

Who would do such a thing smh . I hope everything works out