QUESTION
Does an MD and RN have a right to search a patient's purse while she is asleep ?
Asked on Jun 02nd, 2013 on Litigation - District of Columbia
More details to this question:
Does an MD and RN have a right to search through a patient's purse while she is sleeping without a reason?
10 ANSWERS
Michael J. Breczinski
No why would they do that?
Answered on Jun 06th, 2013 at 9:16 PM
Personal Injury Attorney serving Midvale, UT
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Arrow Legal Solutions Group, P.C.
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Probably not but this is not a civil rights issue it is a civil issue since the MD and RN are not government officials. They may have had an implicit right to if you were there because of an overdose or other issue that in order to provide you care they needed to what may have harmed you or caused you a medical problem that was in your purse. They also may have had a right to do so if there was some concern that something in your purse would endanger anyone. There may be a possibility that when you signed in that the paperwork you sign gave them that right also.
Answered on Jun 04th, 2013 at 11:10 AM
Employment Law Attorney serving Beverly Hills, CA
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Dordick Law Corporation
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No. You may have claim for invasion of privacy, or conversion if they took something.
Answered on Jun 04th, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Personal Injury Attorney serving Charlotte, NC
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Paul Whitfield and Associates P.A.
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Of course not.
Answered on Jun 04th, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Commercial Contracts Attorney serving Boise, ID
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Peters Law, PLLC
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Not without reason, but if they suspected the patient was using drugs and they wanted to make sure that drugs were not the issue, then probably yes.
Answered on Jun 04th, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Yes, they have to treat the patient and if the patient is "asleep" (passed out?) the medical staff would need to know why.
Answered on Jun 04th, 2013 at 11:09 AM
Ronald A. Steinberg
Probably not. But, you need to get all of the details.
Answered on Jun 04th, 2013 at 11:08 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Alexandria, VA
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Michael J. Sgarlat
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Sounds like a privacy issue to me could be an unlawful search but contraband may be admissible because it's not the fruit of the poisonous tree.6 Maybe they were looking for drugs to see how you got so messed up? How do you know they went into your purse?
Answered on Jun 03rd, 2013 at 11:49 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Anderson, SC
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The David F. Stoddard Law Firm
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Not without reason. If there was a reason, perhaps. Since it is not the police, I'm not sure what your remedy is for this violation.
Answered on Jun 03rd, 2013 at 10:35 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Washington, DC
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Rollins & Chan
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It may be a breach of privacy but its not state intrusion unless you were in custody of the police at the time. Furthermore, great deference is given to health people because their goal is to try and help and not hurt.
Answered on Jun 03rd, 2013 at 9:50 PM