FAQ: What is a provider’s duty to warn?
Healthcare Providers’ Duty to Warn.
Guidance issued by HHS explaining when a health care provider has a duty to notify family or law enforcement authorities if a provider believes that a patient may hurt themselves or others.
Key Points
- To the extent that a provider determines that there is a serious and imminent threat of a patient physically harming self or others, HIPAA would permit the provider to warn the appropriate person(s) of the threat, consistent with his or her professional ethical obligations and State law requirements.