fyi
Leeanne Whisnant,MS,BSN
Alexander County Health Director
338 1st Ave SW Taylorsville,NC 28681
828-632-9704 Ext. 405
www.AlexanderHealth.org
From: Nchealthdirectors <nchealthdirectors-bounces@ncapha.org> On Behalf Of Scott Lenhart
Sent: Tuesday, August 6, 2019 2:45 PM
To: 'Tommy Jarrell' <Tommy.Jarrell@richmondnc.com>; 'Stephanie Cannon' <stephanie.cannon@carteretcountync.gov>; nchealthdirectors@ncapha.org
Subject: Re: [NChealthdirectors] First Amendment Audits
Here in Stokes County we had our county attorney come to talk with the staff on the do’s and don’ts.
- Basically NO confrontation (because they want a reaction from you to make you look bad)
- Invite them for tour or place
- Explain HIPAA to them and some areas will not be off limits
- If you take them on a tour, he recommends to close all interior doors. You do not have to tour the inside the clinic spaces
- Post a sign on the doors and waiting area because of HIPAA regulations concerning filming and recording devices are not allowed, this includes cell phones.
I would be interested as well. Tommy Jarrell Richmond County
Hello friends!
I’m sure many of you have heard of persons coming into government buildings conducting “first amendment audits.” From what I’ve gathered, the persons come into a government building and begin filming with the intent to catch staff in a “gotcha moment” and post on YouTube in an attempt to embarrass that person and the county. We are very intent on protecting our patients’ privacy and have signage posted in the clinical areas and main lobby notifying we do not allow photography, filming, etc. We also have badge access doors that stop persons from roaming the building without a staff member.
For those counties you’ve been the lucky recipient of such audit, could you please contact me directly on any tips, guidance, etc. you’ve received from your attorney or employed to respond to this type of situation? I’ve read some counties allowing people to film the areas that are not off-limits, but then I’ve also read some counties asking them to completely stop recording and if they don’t, asking them to leave. If that doesn’t work, they call law enforcement.
I just want to give this some thought before it actually happens.
Thanks,
Stephanie
Stephanie M. Cannon, MPA
Health Director
Carteret County Health Department
3820 Bridges Street, Suite A
Morehead City, NC 28557
252.728.8550, ext. 5727
Stephanie.cannon@carteretcountync.gov
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