There are currently questions from coroners about HIPPA violations and LOSS teams. Stating that contacting a LOSS team is a violation of HIPPA. I have found our state legislation and it shows that it is not a violation. What other tips or ideas do you all have to address this.
Thank you
When we trained the LE Officers for the scene response protocols and explained why our 2 person volunteer team would be there and how we can help LE and the surviving family members a question came up from an officer. I has do to with chain of evidence since by us being at the scene, our volunteers become part of the scene. The question was if we had licensed social workers or therapists as volunteers who are bound by law to not repeat anything they hear, and if someone at the LOSS or DOSS scene implicates themselves in anyway, if LE interview our volunteers because they were on the scene, our volunteers who are licensed social workers or therapists are unable to share the information they heard which could hinder the LE investigation if it is determined a crime was committed. I think this is the scope of their question.…
Law enforcement has been hestiant to call us. How do I build some credibility with them?
Some law enforcement officials need to know how the team is going to not only benefit survivors but also how will it benefit their officers and departments. I keep data on how much time we spend at a scene or with a survivors because that shows them how much time you are saving their officers. With less and less officers and departments not able to fully staff their departments anymore, they have less time to spend with people they are trying to help. When they realize how your team can save them time at a scene by being there to answer all those questions survivors sometimes have, they are anxious to get that help. Your team being there allows them to get to another call for service quicker. It is helpful to find an officer who is also a survivor, and many are. That officer can advocate for your team and even be a volunteer. I have worked with law enforcement for years and can answer other questions you may have about partnering with them. Reach out if you have more questions.
Hi Carlye,
In my experience this can vary from state to state and even from community to community within the same state. When there are other LOSS Teams in the state I encourage people to get those ME's/Coroner's engaged in being a champion. This can help win support of other ME's/Coroners.
I've also learned that even though there may NOT be anything in state legislation showing LOSS Teams as a violation of HIPPA, some Coroners/ME's still feel uncomfortable sharing information. Usually, if this is something they are citing, the deeper issue is there low comfort level and lack of buy in to the value of immediate trained, peer support. When LOSS Teams tackle this issue in what might be perceived as a heavy-handed approach, "there's nothing in the state legislation that supports what you're saying" as an example, it could put these key partners into a defensive posture. So I always encourage proceeding wtih caution. We want to be winsome in our communication.
I'd love to hear others chime in on this!