Can the phone number of a patient’s room be released as part of the facility directory?

Answer:

Yes. The phone number of the patient's room in the facility may be released as part of the directory information about the patient's location in the facility, provided that the other requirements at 45 CFR 164.510(a) also are followed.

Learn More:

Does the HIPAA Privacy Rule permit a hospital to inform callers or visitors of a patient’s location and general condition in the emergency room, even if the patient’s information would not normally be included in the main hospital directory of admitted patients?
Can the fact that a patient has been "treated and released," or that a patient has died, be released as part of the facility directory?
Are hospitals able to inform the clergy about parishioners in the hospital?

Date Created: 11/03/2003
Last Updated: 08/08/2005