#hipaa forms

[makeforms]

What is the full form of HIPAA compliance?

The full form of HIPAA compliance is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance. HIPAA is a U.S. federal law enacted in 1996 that aims to protect the privacy and security of patients' medical records and other health information. HIPAA compliance refers to the adherence to the regulations and standards set forth by this law to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patients' health information.

In addition to HIPAA compliance, there are specific HIPAA forms that organizations and healthcare providers are required to use when handling patients' protected health information (PHI). These forms include the HIPAA Privacy Notice, which informs patients about their rights regarding their health information, and the HIPAA Authorization Form, which allows patients to authorize the use and disclosure of their PHI for specific purposes. Ensuring proper completion and maintenance of these HIPAA forms is essential for maintaining compliance with the law and safeguarding patients' privacy and rights.

[reedtinsley]

How Often Do Patients Need To Sign HIPAA

Patients typically only need to sign HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) forms once, usually upon their first visit to a healthcare provider. However, they may need to re-sign if there are significant updates or changes in policies.

[karmahealth]

Streamlining Patient Intake with HIPAA Form Management Software

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, ensuring smooth patient intake is vital for both operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. Healthcare providers face mounting pressure to maintain high standards of care while also navigating the complex web of administrative duties. One key area where many practices can streamline their processes is patient intake, which is often bogged down by paperwork, delays, and inefficiencies. This is where HIPAA Form Management Software comes in, offering a transformative solution that helps practices save time, improve accuracy, and stay compliant with privacy laws.

In this blog, we’ll explore how HIPAA Form Management Software can help healthcare practices streamline their patient intake processes while also enhancing their overall operations. Additionally, we'll discuss how the right tools can align with Healthcare Marketing strategies and digital marketing initiatives to improve the patient experience and boost practice growth.

The Importance of Streamlined Patient Intake

Patient intake is the first step in the patient journey, and it sets the tone for the rest of their healthcare experience. However, many practices still rely on outdated, paper-based systems that can lead to delays, errors, and inefficiencies. Patients are often required to fill out forms manually, which not only takes time but can also result in illegible handwriting or missed information. The need for in-person visits or phone calls to collect missing information further burdens both staff and patients.

These inefficiencies can lead to frustration on both sides. Patients may feel like their time is being wasted, while staff members are burdened with administrative tasks instead of focusing on patient care. By investing in HIPAA Form Management Software, healthcare practices can automate the process, eliminate paperwork, and improve the accuracy and speed of patient intake.

What is HIPAA Form Management Software?

HIPAA Form Management Software is a digital tool designed to help healthcare providers manage patient intake forms in a secure, efficient, and compliant manner. The software allows practices to collect, store, and organize patient data electronically while ensuring that all information remains confidential and meets HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) standards.

This software typically includes features such as:

Digital Form Completion: Patients can fill out their forms online, from any device, at their convenience. This eliminates the need for paper-based forms and in-person visits, saving time and improving efficiency.

Electronic Signature Capabilities: The software allows patients to sign forms digitally, ensuring that all necessary documents are properly signed and dated.

Secure Data Storage: All patient information is stored securely in compliance with HIPAA regulations, reducing the risk of data breaches or non-compliance.

Integration with Practice Management Systems: HIPAA Form Management Software can integrate with other systems, such as Electronic Health Records (EHR) and scheduling software, to streamline workflows and reduce data entry errors.

Benefits of HIPAA Form Management Software

Implementing HIPAA Form Management Software offers numerous advantages for healthcare practices. Here are some of the key benefits:

Improved Efficiency By allowing patients to complete forms before their appointments, practices can reduce wait times and improve overall patient flow. Staff members spend less time managing paper documents and more time assisting patients. Additionally, the software can auto-populate certain fields, further reducing manual data entry.

Enhanced Accuracy With digital forms, the chances of errors due to illegible handwriting or missing information are greatly reduced. Patients can fill out their forms at their own pace, ensuring that all necessary information is captured correctly. Integration with EHR systems also reduces the likelihood of errors during data transfer.

Increased Compliance HIPAA compliance is a top priority for healthcare providers. The software ensures that patient data is stored securely and that all forms are compliant with federal regulations. It also provides an audit trail, making it easier to track who has accessed or modified patient information.

Cost Savings By eliminating the need for paper forms, printing costs, and physical storage, healthcare practices can save money on administrative expenses. The time saved through automation also allows staff to focus on more critical tasks, improving overall productivity.

Improved Patient Experience Patients appreciate the convenience of completing forms online before their appointment. It allows them to focus on their healthcare needs during their visit, rather than wasting time filling out paperwork. This contributes to higher levels of patient satisfaction and loyalty.

HIPAA Form Management Software and Healthcare Marketing

As the healthcare industry becomes more competitive, practices need to think beyond just patient care—they need to think about marketing as well. A streamlined patient intake process not only improves operational efficiency but can also play a crucial role in a practice’s healthcare marketing strategy.

When a practice adopts HIPAA Form Management Software, it positions itself as technologically advanced and patient-centric. This can be a key selling point in a competitive market. Digital marketing strategies, such as social media campaigns, email marketing, and online advertising, can highlight the practice’s commitment to providing a seamless, modern patient experience. For example, practices can promote the convenience of online form submission to attract new patients and reduce barriers to entry for those seeking care.

Moreover, by leveraging medical marketing services, practices can craft messaging around the time-saving, security-focused, and patient-friendly benefits of HIPAA Form Management Software. This messaging can be woven into blogs, website content, and email newsletters to drive engagement and boost the practice’s online presence.

How to Incorporate HIPAA Form Management Software into Your Marketing Strategy

Highlight Convenience and Time Savings One of the strongest selling points of HIPAA Form Management Software is the time-saving benefits for patients. You can emphasize this in your digital marketing campaigns by promoting how easy it is for patients to complete their forms online, from the comfort of their homes. Highlight how this allows for quicker visits, fewer delays, and faster service—all of which contribute to a positive patient experience.

Leverage Social Media Share success stories on social media about how your practice has streamlined the patient intake process. Use before-and-after comparisons to show how much more efficient your intake process has become with the use of HIPAA Form Management Software. This creates buzz and encourages potential patients to choose your practice based on its innovative approach.

Use Email Marketing to Educate Patients Email marketing can be an excellent platform to educate your current and prospective patients about the benefits of completing forms digitally. Include clear instructions on how to access and complete forms through your website or portal. Consider offering incentives, such as discounts on future services, for patients who complete their intake forms online before their appointment.

Optimize Your Website Your website should prominently feature information about your online patient intake process and the benefits of using HIPAA Form Management Software. Make sure the call-to-action is clear, encouraging visitors to fill out their forms ahead of their appointment. A well-designed, user-friendly website can convert visitors into patients by emphasizing convenience and ease of access.

The Role of Karma Health in Implementing HIPAA Form Management Software

At Karma Health, we understand the importance of technology in enhancing patient care and practice efficiency. Our team provides comprehensive medical marketing services that help healthcare providers leverage innovative tools like HIPAA Form Management Software. We work closely with practices to design digital marketing strategies that highlight the advantages of adopting modern solutions, ensuring that both patients and practices benefit from improved efficiency and enhanced patient experiences.

Through digital marketing, we help practices reach new audiences by showcasing their commitment to streamlined, secure, and patient-friendly services. Whether it's creating engaging website content, optimizing for search engines, or running targeted social media campaigns, Karma Health can help your practice achieve marketing success.

Conclusion

Incorporating HIPAA Form Management Software into your practice’s workflow is a strategic move that not only enhances operational efficiency but also plays a crucial role in improving the patient experience. By leveraging this technology, healthcare providers can streamline patient intake, reduce administrative burdens, and remain compliant with HIPAA regulations. At the same time, integrating this solution into your healthcare marketing and digital marketing strategies can position your practice as forward-thinking and patient-centric, ultimately driving growth and success.

For healthcare practices looking to stay ahead of the curve, partnering with a trusted medical marketing services provider like Karma Health can help you optimize your marketing efforts and leverage technology to achieve your goals. Streamlining patient intake with HIPAA Form Management Software is just the beginning of a broader strategy that can improve both your practice’s operations and its marketing potential.

[xerserise]

Always included in new patient intake packets:

“Sign to acknowledge receipt of privacy practices.”

Never included in new patient intake packets:

Privacy practices.

[solution21]

Ensuring Patient Privacy: The Importance of HIPAA Compliant Online Forms

In today’s digital age, the healthcare industry is increasingly relying on online forms to streamline operations, improve patient care, and enhance the overall patient experience. From appointment scheduling to patient intake and medical history collection, online forms have become a crucial tool for healthcare providers. However, with the rise of digital data collection, ensuring the privacy and security of patient information has become more important than ever. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient information, and compliance with these regulations is essential for any healthcare organization that handles electronic patient data. This article explores the importance of HIPAA compliant online form the risks of non-compliance, and best practices for safeguarding patient privacy in the digital realm.

Understanding HIPAA Compliance and Its Relevance to Online Forms

HIPAA was enacted in 1996 with the primary goal of protecting the privacy and security of patient health information (PHI). The act establishes national standards for the protection of PHI, which includes any information that can be used to identify a patient, such as names, addresses, birth dates, and Social Security numbers, as well as medical records and treatment information. HIPAA applies to all healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as their business associates who handle PHI on their behalf.

When it comes to online forms, HIPAA compliance is crucial because these forms often collect and transmit PHI over the internet. Whether it’s a simple contact form or a detailed medical history questionnaire, any online form that collects PHI must adhere to HIPAA’s privacy and security requirements. This means implementing technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of patient information.

The Risks of Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with HIPAA regulations can have serious consequences for healthcare organizations. The risks of non-compliance include legal penalties, financial fines, and reputational damage. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for enforcing HIPAA and can impose significant fines on organizations that fail to protect patient information. These fines can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the violation and whether it was due to willful neglect.

In addition to financial penalties, non-compliance with HIPAA can lead to legal action from patients whose privacy has been compromised. Patients have the right to file complaints with the OCR if they believe their PHI has been mishandled, and in some cases, they may also pursue civil litigation. The resulting legal costs and settlements can be substantial.

Perhaps even more damaging is the impact on an organization’s reputation. Trust is a fundamental component of the patient-provider relationship, and any breach of patient privacy can erode that trust. When patients lose confidence in a healthcare provider’s ability to protect their information, they may take their business elsewhere, resulting in a loss of revenue and potential damage to the organization’s long-term viability.

Key Components of HIPAA-Compliant Online Forms

To ensure that online forms are HIPAA-compliant, healthcare organizations must implement several key components. These components are designed to protect patient information at every stage of the data collection process, from the moment it is entered into the form to its storage and transmission.

1. Secure Data Transmission

One of the most important aspects of HIPAA compliance is ensuring that patient data is transmitted securely over the internet. Online forms should use encryption protocols, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS), to encrypt data as it is transmitted from the patient’s device to the server. Encryption ensures that even if the data is intercepted during transmission, it cannot be read or accessed by unauthorized parties.

2. Secure Data Storage

Once patient data is collected through an online form, it must be stored securely to prevent unauthorized access. This includes using encryption to protect data at rest, as well as implementing access controls to limit who can view or modify the information. Data should be stored on secure servers that are protected by firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security measures. Regular backups should also be performed to ensure data is not lost in the event of a security breach or system failure.

3. User Authentication and Access Controls

HIPAA requires that healthcare organizations implement access controls to ensure that only authorized individuals can access patient information. Online forms should be integrated with user authentication systems, such as username and password combinations or multi-factor authentication, to verify the identity of users who access or submit PHI. Additionally, access controls should be implemented to restrict access to patient data based on the user’s role within the organization. For example, only certain staff members should have access to sensitive medical information, while others may only need access to basic contact details.

4. Audit Trails and Monitoring

HIPAA mandates that healthcare organizations maintain audit trails that record access to and modification of patient information. This means that online forms and the systems that store the data must be capable of logging who accessed the information, when it was accessed, and what actions were taken. Regular monitoring of these logs is essential to detect and respond to any unauthorized access or suspicious activity. Audit trails also provide a valuable tool for investigating potential security incidents and demonstrating compliance with HIPAA regulations.

5. Patient Consent and Authorization

HIPAA requires that healthcare providers obtain patient consent before collecting or using their PHI. Online forms should include clear and concise language explaining how the patient’s information will be used and requesting their consent to collect and process the data. In some cases, additional authorization may be required for specific uses of PHI, such as sharing information with third parties. It’s important to provide patients with the option to grant or withhold consent for each specific use of their information and to document their choices accordingly.

Best Practices for Implementing HIPAA-Compliant Online Forms

Implementing HIPAA-compliant online forms requires more than just meeting the technical requirements outlined above. Healthcare organizations must also adopt best practices that ensure compliance and protect patient privacy.

1. Choose a HIPAA-Compliant Form Builder

There are many online form builders available, but not all of them are designed with HIPAA compliance in mind. When selecting a form builder, it’s important to choose one that explicitly states it is HIPAA-compliant and offers the necessary security features, such as encryption and access controls. The form builder should also be willing to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), which is a contract that outlines their responsibilities for protecting PHI on behalf of the healthcare organization.

2. Conduct Regular Risk Assessments

HIPAA requires healthcare organizations to conduct regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential security risks. This includes evaluating the security of online forms and the systems used to store and transmit patient data. Regular risk assessments help organizations stay compliant with HIPAA and address any vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. It’s also important to update risk assessments whenever there are significant changes to the organization’s digital infrastructure or processes.

3. Train Staff on HIPAA Compliance

Ensuring HIPAA compliance is not just the responsibility of the IT department; it requires a collective effort from the entire organization. All staff members who handle patient information should receive regular training on HIPAA regulations and the organization’s policies for protecting PHI. This training should include guidance on how to use online forms securely, how to recognize potential security threats, and how to respond to a data breach or other security incident. Regular training helps to create a culture of compliance and ensures that staff members are aware of their responsibilities under HIPAA.

4. Implement Data Minimization Practices

Data minimization is the practice of collecting only the information that is necessary for a specific purpose. When designing online forms, healthcare organizations should carefully consider what information is required and avoid collecting unnecessary data. For example, if a form is only needed to schedule an appointment, there may be no need to collect detailed medical history at that stage. By minimizing the amount of PHI collected, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches and ensure compliance with HIPAA’s principle of data minimization.

5. Provide Patients with Transparency and Control

Patients have the right to know how their information is being used and to have control over their data. Online forms should include clear explanations of how patient information will be used, stored, and shared, as well as options for patients to manage their consent and preferences. Providing patients with transparency and control over their data not only helps to ensure compliance with HIPAA but also builds trust and enhances the patient experience.

6. Regularly Review and Update Online Forms

Healthcare regulations and best practices for data security are constantly evolving, so it’s important to regularly review and update online forms to ensure continued compliance with HIPAA. This includes updating the form’s security features, reviewing the data being collected, and ensuring that consent language is up to date with current regulations. Regular reviews help to identify and address any potential compliance gaps and ensure that the organization’s digital forms remain secure and effective.

Conclusion

Ensuring patient privacy in the digital age is a critical responsibility for healthcare organizations, and HIPAA-compliant online forms play a key role in protecting sensitive patient information. By understanding the importance of HIPAA compliance and implementing the necessary safeguards, healthcare providers can build trust with their patients, avoid the risks of non-compliance, and provide a secure and seamless online experience. Adopting best practices for HIPAA compliance, including using secure form builders, conducting regular risk assessments, and training staff, is essential for safeguarding patient privacy and maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations. As the healthcare industry continues to embrace digital transformation, the importance of HIPAA-compliant online forms will only grow, making it more important than ever for healthcare organizations to prioritize patient privacy in their digital strategies.

[baby-octopus]

if I have to hear what HIPAA stands for one more time I am going to SCREAM

[thatgoblin]

From Someone who works with medical records -

RFK Jr. is stating he will make a list of everyone diagnosed with autism to research the cause. This is bad for obvious reasons.

But there are only 1 to 3 LEGAL ways to get medical records, especially ones of a mental health kind.

1.DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING FROM YOUR DOCTOR ALLOWING THE RELEASE OF MEDICAL RECORDS TO 3RD PARTIES FOR RESEARCH.

This will be in the form of a HIPAA release that you yourself must sign to give consent.

2. DO NOT SIGN A BLANKET RELEASE OF INFORMATION FROM YOUR INSURANCE.

This won't have any specified information to release to them or for them to release to someone else. If you have to have records for the insurance company, make sure they have the specific dates, locations, and if applicable, body part they are needing records for.

3. UNLESS A LOCAL JUDGE FOR YOUR STATE SIGNS A SUBPOENA OR COURT ORDER, YOU MUST SIGN A RELEASE FORM.

The only way around your consent is if RFK Jr. goes through the legal system and that is a HASSEL.

HIPAA is very strict and keeps us safe from malpractice and legal nonsense like this. I know the majority of people on here are not the targets of the 'autism must be cured' crusades, the people who have the highest support needs are the ones he's mainly after, but if you have family or friends that are severely disabled, this is how you help keep them safe.

Pass this around and stay informed. The Man Who Swallows Demons as He Speaks is not to be trusted.

[mconsent]

Advantages of Paperless Forms in Dental Practices

Have you noticed paperless forms becoming more prevalent in dental offices? Even that one colleague you never thought would make the switch to paperless, actually did - and is loving it! What is it that makes paperless forms a hot trend for practitioners? Discover 5 major advantages to going paperless:

Efficient Flow

Happier Patients

Eliminates Paper Hassles

Modernized Appeal

Don’t let your practice be left in the dark. Get on track by optimizing your workflows with paperless solutions.

Learn all about it here.

[enigmaris]

Red Hood held out his now uncovered hand as if to ask for a hand shake. Danny floated a bit closer and reached out with his own gloved finger. He poked into the back of the guy’s hand.

“What are you doing?”

“Dude, what if you’re contagious?”

“Can ghosts get sick?” Nightwing asked.

“There are ghost diseases, yeah.” Danny answered, still poking at Red Hood’s hand. “No ghost antibiotics, though. You just have to tough it out.”

“Is that what I have?”

“No.” Danny said. “You have something easier to fix.”

Danny floated back so that he was eye level with the two taller heroes. He folded his arms across his chest and looked at Red Hood.

“So, like. Is there a private place we could chat?”

“Private?” Nightwing asked. “Why? It isn’t fatal, is it?”

“Uh no? It's just personal. What’s it called Hippo? The doctor thing.”

“Are you talking about HIPAA?” Red Hood asked, sounding confused.

“That’s it!” Danny snapped a finger and pointed at Red Hood. “It’s personal medical info. We are on a rooftop in the middle of the biggest city I’ve ever been in. Do you want to go somewhere private?”

“I uh... No, here is fine.”

"Okay.” Danny said. “Cool then. So, these Lazarus Pits? I’ve never seen one, but I have heard of them from other older ghosts. Except we don’t call them that. They’re relatively common in the zone, but the locations are secret, you have to know someone who knows someone ya know?”

“Well, what are they?”

“Distilleries.”

“What?” Red Hood managed to look absolutely flabbergasted even with the full faced motorcycle helmet covering his head.

“Ghosts can’t eat human food, right? I mean we can, but we don’t taste anything. We don’t have the physical parts to digest human food and enjoy it like we did when we were alive.” Danny explained. “It’s the same thing for things like alcohol and drugs and things. So, a lot of adult ghosts still want to get drunk even though they’re dead. I died before 21 so I wouldn’t know, but like, there’s a desire for it.”

“What does this have to do with the Lazarus Pits?”

"Well, in order to make something we can taste, it has to be made with ectoplasm. Alcohol is not as easy to make as other stuff for ghosts. Alcohol is made using fermentation, right? Well ectoplasm doesn’t really. Do that. I mean ectoplasm is either inert or charged with emotional energy, if it gets charged enough it will form a ghost or spirit or something. It’s basically impossible to like, make ectoplasm ferment without risking your alcohol becoming the ghost of wines past.” Danny said, throwing a joke on the end there. Nightwing gave him a smile while Red Hood managed to glare at him through the full red facemask.

“There are ghosts who have figured out how to force ectoplasm to ferment. They basically invented ghost yeast, a sourdough starter of horror if you will. It takes centuries for ectoplasm to get good enough to be considered drinkable alcohol. So, what an enterprising barkeeping ghost will do is find like, an abandoned cave or something, fill it with ectoplasm dump the ghost yeast in there and leave it alone for like a thousand years to ripen. Then they’ll come back, bottle it up and sell it in the zone.” Danny continued.

"Are you telling me Red Hood is ghost drunk?” Nightwing asked.

“I’m saying he has a yeast infection.”

[makeforms]

What is a HIPAA compliant authorization form?

A HIPAA compliant authorization form is a legal document required under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). It grants permission for healthcare providers to use or disclose an individual’s protected health information (PHI) for specific purposes, such as treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. The form must be detailed, including the nature of the information to be disclosed, the purpose of disclosure, and the recipient of the information. It ensures that personal health data is handled with confidentiality and consent.

Types of HIPAA Authorization Forms

New Patient Authorization Form: Allows the disclosure of PHI to establish a new patient relationship.

Medical Release Form: Permits access to medical records for purposes like second opinions or personal records.

Authorization for Use/Disclosure of PHI for Marketing: Grants permission to use PHI for marketing and promotional activities.

Research Authorization Form: Authorizes the use of PHI for research studies and clinical trials.

[reedtinsley]

How Often Do Patients Need To Sign HIPAA

Patients typically only need to sign HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) forms once, usually upon their first visit to a healthcare provider. However, they may need to re-sign if there are significant updates or changes in policies.

[onyxblackcar]

Securing Patient Data: A Guide to Creating HIPAA Compliant Online Forms

In the era of digital transformation in healthcare, the adoption of online forms has become commonplace for streamlining administrative processes and enhancing patient experience.

[trippinsorrows]

with me + part seven

authors note: i take some creative liberties with medical (mostly hipaa) stuff in this one, so please disregard. also, thank you everyone for (still!!!) being so interested in this story. you guys are making me wanna flesh it out even more like seriously 😭 i wanted to not make it past 10 (3 to 4 initially) parts but the support has been so humbling, and ya'll seem to like/want more sooooo 😭

song inspo: with me by destiny's child

status: in progress // masterlist

warnings: angst, language, suggestive themes

words: 7k

taglist: @pixiedust4000 @southerngirl41 @yolobloggers @msbigredmachine @wanderingreigns

Absolutely every rule of the road is broken in getting Callie to the hospital.

You couldn’t give two shits. 

You just continue to try to reassure your crying child that she's going to be okay while fighting your own pending panic attack.

Speeding through the lanes, uncaring if the light is yellow and you should slow down, you’ll take whatever ticket. The only rule you abide by is not going through a red light, understanding how stupid and dangerous that is. However, while the hospital is about a 15 to 20 minute drive from you, you make it there in a solid eight minutes.

And even that is too much.

The emergency room is, expectedly, pretty empty save a couple of people. Emergencies are rare and infrequent in your town. It’s truly a stroke of bad, cruel luck that your sweet little girl is victim to one of the few. 

Rushing to the front desk, Callie cradled against you, you blurt to the receptionist, “something’s wrong with her stomach.”

The woman appears uninterested until her eyes land on Calista who’s still crying into your chest, hand on her stomach. She calls out to the back, and you see the double doors open. A few minutes later, if that, a set of doctor and nurses emerge. 

“What happened?” The doctor immediately asks, starting to assess Callie, first checking for a fever and then shining a light in both her eyes. 

Speaking is suddenly difficult, but you manage, “I–I don’t know. She said her stomach was hurting right before she went to bed, so I gave her some Children’s Tylenol, then she woke up in the middle of the night screaming in pain, and I–I rushed her over here.”

He nods, gently going to press on her stomach as she shouts in pain again. Your own stomach clenches, hating to see her hurt like this. 

Something appears to flash in his vision, but whatever it is, he keeps it to himself. “We need to admit her.” He reaches for Callie who suddenly clings tighter to you.

“No!” There’s pure fear and panic in her voice, as she starts to cry harder. “I wanna stay with my mommy!” 

Her words kill you, because you also don’t want to let her go, but you know it’s what needs to happen. “Baby, it’s okay, they’re gonna help you, and I’m right here, alright?” You try to reassure her, gently stroking her hair. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

She’s clearly still uncomfortable but allows the doctor to carry her, as he instructs one of the nurses, “page peds.” Her eyes never leave you as he moves quickly to carry her into one of the rooms, carefully placing her down on the bed. You’re immediately by her side, needing her to know you’re right here with her and not going anywhere. 

While the doctor gives a variety of commands to some of the nurses, you somehow have the wherewithal to catch the attention of one of the nurses, informing, “her dad is on his way. Can you make sure they let him back? His name is Joe.”

She nods. “Of course.” 

“And—” this is both relevant and irrelevant, but as it’s at the forefront of your mind, so you tell her, “I also need a release form. For him. He’s….he’s not on the birth certificate.”

If she’s judging you for this piece of information, you’ll never know because her expression remains unchanged. “I’ll have one brought to you.”

“Thank you.” It hasn’t really crossed your mind until this terrifying moment that Joe has no legal right or say into any medical or legal situations regarding Calista. This scares you in a different way, her own father having no say in decisions that could be life or death. It’s shoved into the back of your mind, but when this is all said and done, you know this it’s something you need to discuss with him. 

You need to look into whatever the state requires to have a father’s name added to a birth certificate. But, of course, all of this is secondary to what’s happening before you, your focus returning to Callie who’s still holding onto your arm. 

“Alright, what do we have here?” 

A new voice enters the room, and you look up, momentarily surprised to see another doctor, but it’s not the fact that it’s a doctor that surprises you. It’s who the doctor is. 

You give him a double take, almost not trusting your judgment in this moment. But when he approaches Callie’s side and offers a gentle smile, you see it, the cleft in his chin. 

“Kai?” 

He lifts his eyes to you, offering a small nod, returning his focus to assessing Callie. And then he looks up again. Like he gave you the standard acknowledgement only to also realize who you are.

“Y/N?”

Yup. Hearing his voice again, you’re certain this is most definitely Kai Sawyer. 

Kai Sawyer, former classmate, once friend, brief lover when you were in high school. He was always sweet, almost too sweet for the toxic teenager you were who was too stuck on Amir to realize Kai was a much better option. 

Granted, it was never serious. You never had any sort of feelings for him that left you stumped.

Nothing like with Joe. 

“It’s good to see you.” He seems just as surprised to see you as you are to see him. The last you heard was that he left for school, pursuing a medical career and planned to move out of state. Kai motions to Callie. “This is your daughter?” Nodding with a small, forced smile, you watch him carefully lean down to be closer to Callie’s eye level. “Hi there, sweetie. I’m Dr. Sawyer. Can you tell me your name?”

She sniffles, seemingly holding you tighter. “Callie.”

“Callie,” he says, precisely, pronouncing each syllable. “What a very pretty name. Well, Callie, is it okay if I feel your belly so we can see what’s going on and help you feel better?”

She doesn’t look at you for approval, instead nodding as Kai starts to evaluate her. Once again, she cries out in pain as he feels the same area you’d unintentionally put too much pressure on. 

“It hurts,” she whimpers, and you kiss her forehead. Seeing her in pain is a form of torture you absolutely cannot tolerate. 

“I’m sorry, honey,” he apologies, standing upright again. “We’re gonna make you all better though, okay?” 

She says nothing, instead tugging you closer to her as she lays her head against your shoulder.

Kai speaks to the nurses in a low voice, where you can only make out intermittent parts. Something about an IV drip and pain meds. Once he’s done, he looks over at you and continues with that low voice, “can I talk to you outside?”

His question doesn’t help with the anxiety you’re already having an extremely difficult time controlling, but Callie’s heightened cries and tightened grasp on you captures your attention the most.

“No, mommy, don’t leave me!" 

It’s an impossible decision, even if logically, you know what you have to do. Whatever Kai wants to discuss with you clearly doesn’t need to be in front of Callie, but you also know she’s hurting and just wants her mom. 

“You said your name is Callie? That’s such a cute name.” One of the nurses comes over and offers a warm smile. “I have a little girl who’s just about your age too. She likes barbies and playing dress up. What do you like?”

Sniffling, still holding onto you, Callie meets the nurse’s eye contact and answers after a second. “Disney.”

The nurse gasps, “so does my little girl.” She sits on the side of the bed as the other nurse finishes inserting Callie’s IV. “Is it okay if I sit with you and we talk about Disney while mama talks to Dr. Sawyer?”

You’re so thankful for this act of kindness and assure Callie, “I’ll be right back. I’m just outside the door, okay?”

She’s still unsure and highly uncomfortable, but a small nod precedes her releasing her grip on you. You start to climb out of the hospital bed when she grabs you again. 

You expect another form of protest, of unease about you leaving her. Instead, in a small, innocent voice, she states, “I want Joe.”

The ball in the back of your throat grows exponentially. You’re already emotional, for obvious reasons, but there’s something about her request, so simple yet so powerfully telling, that brings a new set of tears to your eyes. 

“He’s on his way, baby, okay?” As the hospital is in the same direction as his hotel, you expect his arrival in a matter of minutes, hopefully. 

She seems comforted by this piece of information, and you’re able to break away to follow Kai outside the room. Once out of a proximity where she could overhear, you ask, urgently, “what’s wrong with her?”

Kai sighs, crossing his arms over his body with a sympathetic expression. “Well, I—”

The sound of heavy, urgent footsteps capture your attention, and you look to your side to see a nurse escorting Joe. His eyes land on you with a curious expression before he asks, “where is she?”

His voice is calm, but you know him well. Too well. Enough to know that he’s worried out of his mind, too. 

You gesture to the door a few inches away from you. “With the nurse.” Gesturing to Kai, you inform, “this is the doctor.”

There’s something about Joe’s presence that instantly calms you, allows your emotions to regulate just a little better. 

“Holy shit,” Kai breathes, and you look over to see he’s staring at Joe with bewilderment. “You’re–uh—is this her dad?” The question is posed to you, and you run your hand over your face, nodding. Kai clearly recognizes Joe, err, Roman, and is in a brief state of celebrity panic. Any other time, you’d understand it, but right now, you’re on the doorsteps of a nervous breakdown, and the medical professional in charge of Callie’s care being starstruck isn’t the least bit helpful.

“Yes,” Joe answers, his voice not unkind but not friendly either. “What’s wrong with my daughter?”

Kai clears his throat, snapping back into his professional shoes. “It seems like early stages of appendicitis. We call it acute appendicitis, meaning her appendix hasn’t ruptured yet, which is good.” He gazes at you, grateful. “You got her here just in time.”

His words do little to comfort you, because you’re still stuck on the first part. 

“Appendicitis?” You repeat, confused . “But–but she’s only four. How—”

“It’s not as uncommon in children as people think. Did you by any chance have one when you were younger?”

You have to think for a second, recognition then dawning. You’d completely forgotten about that borderline traumatic experience that was eerily similar to this. Waking your mom up because you were in a tremendous amount of pain and her calling 911 to rush you to the hospital. God, how could you not remember that until now? “Yes, yes, but I was—I was like 10.”

“So still a kid,” he confirms. Kai turns to Joe. “What about dad?”

“Yeah, I was twelve.” 

“Wait a minute.” You don’t know about Joe, but you certainly remember the outcome of your experience. “You—you don’t have to operate on her, right?” Scoffing, your words become difficult to express. “Kai, she’s—she’s too little for that. There’s—there’s another way, right?”

“Surgery is the best treatment—”

“No!” You cut him off, not wanting to hear this shit. “You’re not cutting her open, Kai. I–I won’t—-I won’t allow it.”

Joe finally addresses you, hand on the small of your back as he tries to get you to look at him. “Y/N….”

You jerk away, “I said no!” Turning back to Kai, you plead, eyes starting to burn again, “isn’t there—isn’t there something else you can do? Like medicine or—”

“Her appendix needs to be removed, Y/N. There’s no way around that.” Kai’s tone is full-on professional, borderline pleading, needing you to actually heed to his medical opinion. “The procedure is standard, should take about an hour, and it presents minimal risk. It’s really the best and safest option. If we don’t operate, inflammation could increase and eventually cause her appendix to rupture. Once that happens, because of her age, she becomes at an increasingly high risk for infection. And that could become fatal.” 

The word fatal sounds out everything else as you fall back against the wall, covering your mouth, unable to hold back the tears. “Oh my god.”

Joe looks at Kai, directring firmly. “Do it. Do it now.”

“I’ll book an OR.” Kai nods and you hear him say something else, but it’s all so distant and blurry. Fatal and Callie should never be in the same sentence, but right now it’s a reality that you can’t fathom. Your chest hurts, your stomach hollow, and head all over the place.

“I—it’s my fault,” you murmur to yourself or maybe Joe. You’re not entirely sure. “She—she told me her stomach was upset, but I—I didn’t listen. I just—I just gave her medicine and made her go to sleep.” You inhale sharply, eyes burning with salty tears. “She was in pain, and I didn’t listen to her. I didn’t—”

“Baby, look at me.” Before you realize it, Joe is in front of you, cupping your face and forcing your blurry gaze on him. “You did nothing wrong. There was no way for you to know what was happening.”

“I’m her mother, Joe—" you protest, sniffling, hands on his chest. “I’m supposed to know when something’s wrong. I’m–I’m supposed to protect her.”

“And you did,” he assures, pushing back some of your hair. “You heard the doctor. You got her here just in time. It could have been a lot worse.” He wipes away your tears, hating to see you so upset, so hard on yourself over a situation outside of your control. “You’re an amazing mother. Do you know why she’s such a great and happy kid? Because of you. Because you take such good care of her. You’ve raised her on your own, and look at how amazing she is. That’s all you. Why else do you think she’s so attached to you? Because you’re just as much her world as she is yours.” He pulls you into his chest, continuing to gently comfort you, “she’s gonna be fine, okay?” 

Being held in that moment, being held by Joe is exactly what you need. It centers you as much as one can be centered in this kind of situation. You find yourself holding onto him, embracing the comfort and support. 

Eyes shut, you murmur into his chest, “thank you for being here.”

You feel his hand move gently down your back, his mouth pressed to the top of your head. “Always.”

After a few minutes, maybe more, maybe less, you separate and wipe at your eyes. “Okay.” It’s trying to gather yourself before going back in the room, not wanting to scare her or make anything worse for her than it already is. “We–we need to tell her.”

“You want me to tell her?” He offers, and you’re thankful. He clearly sees how upsetting all of this is and is eager to support you anyway he can.  

“No,” you finally answer. “We’ll do it together.” 

Joe takes your hand and rubs his thumb across your knuckles, a kind, comforting gesture. Appreciated. You appreciate him so fucking much in this moment that it’s almost impossible to explain. Your calm in this storm, a voice of sound reason. Much needed advocate for your daughter as you fall victim to your emotions. 

He looks at you once more, assessing your readiness. A simple nod gives him the answer he needs, as he heads for the door, holding it open so you can enter first. 

The same nurse who so kindly recognized a need lifts her head with that same warm smile. Your eyes immediately land on Calista, who looks less pale than she was when you brought her in. She’s also no longer crying. That relieves you the most. A mother seeing her child cry is a kind of pain no one should ever have to experience. 

The pain meds must be kicking in. You’re immensely grateful.

But as quick as her eyes were on you, they bounce almost instantly to Joe, a larger smile growing. 

“Joe!” Even her voice is stronger, not as weak or weighed down with pain. 

“There’s my girl,” Joe greets, instantly at her side, kissing the top of her head. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

“A little better, but my tummy still hurts.”

Allowing them their moment, you turn to the nurse who’s subtly backed away, also recognizing this is a moment that shouldn’t be intruded upon. She also subtly reaches you the clipboard with the ROI that you quickly fill out and hand back to her. “Thank you,” you whisper, hoping your eyes reveal just how much you appreciate her thoughtfulness.

“Of course,” she replies, giving a final look to Callie. “I’ll leave you all alone.” 

Once the door is shut and it’s just the three of you, you move to the other side of the hospital bed, seeing there’s a possible space to jump in and gently break the news to her. A shared glance with Joe followed by a nod is the answer you need as you take a deep breath.

“Calista….” As soon as she gazes at you, you recognize she knows something is up. You hardly ever use her full first name. “Baby, Joe and I talked to the doctor about what he needs to do to make you all better, and—and he said you’ve gotta have surgery to take the bad stuff out your stomach.”

Her brows cave together, confused. “What’s surgery?”

Joe jumps in, recognizing your initial difficulty with how to explain such a concept to a young child. “It’s when doctors give you medicine to make you go to sleep while they take the bad stuff out of you.”

She looks at him, a little more understanding, still obviously and understandably unsure. “Does it hurt?”

You answer, trying your best to keep your tone as calm as possible. “When you wake up, it may hurt a little but that’s cause it’s gotta heal.” 

Joe shares, and you’re so grateful for his partnership at this moment. For his ability to assist and tag team. “You wanna know something? Your mom and I had the same surgery when we were kids.”

She seems intrigued by this. “Really?” Nodding, you study her facial expressions, knowing her well enough to know that she’s struggling with her emotions. She’s not alone. 

Finally, after a minute of contemplation, she whispers, “I’m scared.” 

“It’s okay to be scared, Callie,” Joe assures. He's so damn good with her, gentle and patient. “Everyone gets scared.”

She looks over at him, asking innocently, “even you?”

“Of course,” he answers, vulnerably sharing, “I was scared when your mom called me and said she was taking you to the hospital.” The both of you were. That’s no call any parent wants to ever receive. 

She looks between the two of you. “Can you guys come with me?”

“We can’t go back with you, but we’ll be waiting right here for you as soon as you wake up.” Joe answers for you, thumb brushing over her forehead.

“You promise?”

 Lips pressed against her forehead, you vow, “we promise.”

—-------

As soon as Callie is taken back to the OR and the two of you are left alone in the waiting area, Joe begins to lift his hoodie over his head, suddenly reaching it to you. “Put this on.” 

You look at him, confused. “What?”

His eyes briefly trail your body, head to toe. “Do you realize what you're wearing?”

Brows furrowed, you look down and gasp. In the midst of adrenaline and flight or flight, your appearance never dawned on you. Your pajama set is short, skimpy, and shows off a slice of your stomach, not that you care too much about that. It’s more the fact that you’re not wearing a bra, and this waiting room is cold as fuck. 

You also realize your bonnet is still on your head. 

In short, you look a hot ass mess, more like someone waiting for admission to the psych ward instead of an anxious parent awaiting her daughter to get out of surgery. 

“Fuck.” The first thing you do is rip your bonnet off, deciding to keep your pineapple. Next is accepting Joe’s hoodie, sliding it over your frame. It’s understandably baggy, grazing just above your knees. “Thank you.” 

The two of you move over to the seating area as you sigh loudly, suddenly asking. “What time is it?”

He checks the watch on his wrist. “3:15.” 

You scoff, rubbing your eyes but not saying anything, leaning back into the seat, trying to not get too much into your head. It’s a difficult feat when your four-year-old child is under the knife for emergency surgery.

“The doctor…..” Joe starts, and you turn to look at him. “You called him by his first name.”

He doesn’t need to elaborate for you to understand his question. “We went to high school together.” If your intention was to keep your answer as casual and general as possible, you fail miserably because Joe 100% picks up on the unspoken words. 

“And?”

Shrugging, you explain, “we didn’t date per se, but we hooked up.” Looking back, you recognize how Kai was absolutely a rebound in between Amir and all his bullshit. And you do regret that, because Kai was always a genuinely nice guy. He didn't deserve to be caught up in your Joker-Harley Quinn ‘love’ story. 

“Fucking hell.” Joe looks away, genuinely annoyed, and for some reason, it makes you smile. The first of the night, err, morning. And you’re weirdly thankful for this conversation, for this distraction you wonder if he's intentionally providing you. “Do all your ex’s still live here? Why does nobody ever leave this town?”

You laugh, actually laugh, and it feels nice. A contrast from all of the heaviness you’ve experienced over the past few hours. 

Sucking your teeth, you respond, sassily. “I’m tired of you roasting my tiny little no name town.”

He eyes you curiously, clearly surprised by your reference. “You watch?”

“Occasionally,” you answer with a shrug. You don’t want to tell him you’ve found yourself increasingly watching Bloodline clips during the kids' lunchtime at school. Or at night when you don’t know what else to watch. Not when before his return, it was rare and in between you’d find yourself consuming anything WWE related, let alone with Roman Reigns. “Not a lot. Just enough to see how you’re doing exactly what I always knew you could do.” 

Joe stares, appreciatively, gently adding, “you always believed in me.” 

“Of course, I did.” It’s always been so visible and obvious. From the very beginning, you recognized his potential and knew he would excel once they finally released him from his shackles. You find yourself leaning against his body and grab onto his arm. “I could never have a bum for a baby daddy.”

You don’t have to be looking at him to know he’s rolling his eyes, that expression of his that’s a mixture of a scowl and smile. 

He doesn’t say anything after that, not immediately, and that’s okay, because just sitting here, with him, not alone and in your head is a great comfort.

“She has my last name.”

You look up at him, surprised and confused as to why he’s saying this like he didn’t already know it. But it’s in that looking at him, you see it’s because he clearly didn’t already know this.

He was unaware. 

Sitting up, you ask, “you didn't know?”

He shakes his head, explaining, “when I got here, I said I was here for Calista, and she said Calista Anoa’i.” That’s it. How he found out. How his daughter, who he hadn’t even known about up until not even two months ago, shared the same last name as him. All of these major life reveals being dropped on him like it’s nothing.

You feel terrible again, just for different reasons. 

“I never wanted to erase you from her life. I just—” It’s hard to explain something you’re starting to not even fully understand. In such a short timespan, Joe has done a tremendous job stepping into the role of dad. So much so that it has you deeply regretting depriving him of the almost first five years of her life.

Depriving yourself of having a partner to raise Callie with.

“I just went about it all wrong,” is the best you can land on to describe what you’re thinking and feeling. “And I'm sorry you found out like this. I guess, I just thought it would have come up by now.”

“It’s fine.” It’s not. He’s just trying to be mindful of where you are emotionally right now. Always considerate, despite his own feelings. 

Grabbing a hold of his arm, you lean into him again, eventually murmuring, “no, it’s not.” You’re starting to feel more and more like there was never a good enough reason to rob him of this, to have a child walking around this earth with his last name, his blood, and him be in the dark. Him being married was a factor, but it wasn’t a firm reason. “I’m sorry.” 

“You don’t ha—”

“Yes, I do,” you interrupt him, already knowing he’s going to try to pacify you, to try to convince you that it wasn’t that bad. Bullshit. “You missed out on so much, because of me, and I’m truly sorry, Joe. My own shit got i—”

“Excuse me?”

You sit upright, attention automatically redirected to the Caucasian woman in front of you with a bad bleach job, crows feet that probably contrast her actual age, and a clipboard. It’s the damn clipboard that kills your thought that maybe Callie is out her surgery and you guys can see her. 

Wishful thinking.

“Bill it,” is your short, curt reply as you lay back down against Joe’s arm. His eyes are on you, curious. 

The woman gives a small, fake laugh. “Excuse me?”

“You’re here to discuss insurance shit, right?” Her silence is the answer you need. “Well, I’m telling you to bill my insurance and then send me a bill.” 

She extends a more authentic smile to Joe, and you almost could swear you see the faintest hint of blush on her pale face. “Well, aren’t you three steps ahead?” When you don’t say anything, she awkwardly clears her throat and continues. “I actually wanted to know if you’d like to take advantage of this really great option we have where we give you an estimated cost and accept payment now so that—”

“Lady, my daughter is in surgery right now. I don’t give a scathing fuck about your great option. Bill it, and get the hell away from us.” Your words are blunt, coarse, and very much to the point. You couldn’t give two shits about anything she has to say if it’s not regarding Callie being out, up, and all better.

Joe chuckles above you, still saying nothing, just watching her walk away with her tail between her legs. “You had some restraint. I’m proud of you.”

“Shut up,” you mutter, eyes closing as you try to allow yourself to bask in the comfort he provides. It’s such a different experience. The last time you had to rush Callie to the ER, she was two, your mom was out of town on a women’s retreat, and Mariah was off on her honeymoon. It was just you, by yourself, waiting to find out what the hell was wrong with your toddler. 

Having someone with you in this moment, having him with you, means more to you than he could ever imagine.

“How’d you come up with her name?” He asks after a few moments of silence.

This brings a smile to your face, a genuine one that you actually feel in your body. “A book.” 

“Like a baby name book?” You should have known better. Joe is many things, a man of specificity being pretty high up there. 

You hesitate to respond. “Not exactly.”

He glances down, assessing your expression before tilting his head back. “You didn’t.”

“Hear me out.” 

“Did you seriously name our daughter after some character from one of your freaky ass sex books?” You’re grateful for the little laughter this conversation provides you, and it makes you realize how much this man must have missed you to remember that. To remember your guilty pleasure for smutty kindle books. Not so much as you’ve gotten older and just genuinely don’t have the time to read them.

Resting your chin against his massive arm, you defend, “first of all, rude. Secondly, it wasn’t even that freaky. Unfortunately.” He rolls his eyes and you continue, “the character was actually really interesting and not awful. And I’d never heard the name Calista before, so when I looked it up and saw it meant most beautiful….it just fit.” Toward the end of your pregnancy was when you fully allowed yourself to embrace being a mother, regardless of the circumstances. It was a blessing and beautiful experience, and you found yourself counting down the days until your due date. “Her middle name is Manaia.” 

He chuckles, softly. “That’s Samoan.”

Chewing on your bottom lip, you rest your cheek against him again. “I know…I told you, she’s just as much you as she is me.” 

—-------

Joe approaches the front desk, seeing a brunette woman scrolling on her phone with a bored expression. Understandable, given the room is empty sans a janitor making the rounds. It’s probably the first and last empty emergency room he’ll ever come across.

“Excuse me.”

She looks up, and her mouth parts, an instant smile growing. One he’s used to but wholeheartedly couldn’t care less about. 

“Hi.” Her tone is much more breathy than what’s necessary, some attempt at coming off flirtatious would be his guess. Zero shits are still given.

Joe doesn’t waste any time, already wanting to get back to you, even if he knows you went to go call your mom and let her know what happened. Still, he needs to, at the very least, get back before he has to feed you some bullshit excuse about where he was. “I need to add a new card on file for Calista Anoa’i.”

She leans forward, chin in her hand, uneven, needle thin eyebrows wiggling. “Are you dad?”

Obviously. “Yes.”

“Lucky kid.” He’d take a good guess that she doesn’t recognize him, which for that, he’s grateful. She just finds him attractive, which is still irritating and unprofessional as hell. Have an attraction, but don’t be so vocal and desperate. “Mom too.”

Ignoring her comment, he grabs his wallet, pulling out his card and sliding it over.

“Do—”

“Change it to the default payment,” he instructs, not in the mood for whatever else she wants to try. It’s all in vain. He has eyes for one woman only, and it certainly isn’t her. “Is there any way you can set it up for autopay?”

She gives Joe a strange expression, like she questions his ability to consent. Because no one in their right mind would authorize a hospital to have such power with their money. “Umm, we can, but it’s really not recommended because you can never guarantee just how much insurance will and won’t cover. So, if they deny the claim in its entirety, then they’ll charge the entire balance—”

“That’s fine,” he cuts her off. “Just do it, and make sure any future charges go to that card only.” He thinks about it, asking, “matter of fact, can you take mom’s card off file altogether?” Joe knows you’re gonna bite his head off for this, and he doesn’t care. He knows medical bills can get costly, and you’re not making bank on a teacher’s salary. The least he can do is take care of his daughter’s medical costs.

“Uhh, sure, as long as you understand—”

“Money isn’t an issue. At all. Do it.”

She shakes her head but types away eventually reaching Joe his card. “All done. You can call and change it at any—”

“I won’t.” And that’s a fact. “Thank you.” 

Joe doesn’t give her a chance to respond or try anything else, turning to head back to the waiting area and is relieved when you return only minutes after he’s sat down. 

“Well, as expected, she’s upset I didn’t call her but calmed down a little bit when I told her you’ve been here with me,” you catch him up, sitting down next to him again. “And she’s on her way. She wants us to go back to my place to get some sleep.” 

Immediately, he protests. “We can’t leave Callie.”

You open your mouth to mostly agree with him when you hear footsteps and feel your stomach flutter seeing Kai heading in your direction.

He gets straight to the point. “Surgery was successful. She’s gonna be fine.” There are no words to properly describe your relief. The past hour felt like the longest period of your life and to know that it wasn’t in vain is so utterly comforting. 

“Thank God,” you breathe, also standing up with Joe. “Thank you, Kai.” You briefly close your eyes, shaking your head and correcting yourself. “I’m sorry, uhh. Dr. Sawyer.” 

“Come on, Y/N. I’ll always just be Kai to you.” It’s said so innocently, and it’s also then you notice the wedding band on his left hand. But, Joe must be giving him a look, because he’s suddenly awkwardly clearing his throat. “Because she’s so young, I'd like to keep her a couple more days to monitor her.”

“Of course,” you agree. There’s no protest at your daughter having medical personnel surrounding her at all times following a surgical procedure. 

He nods and starts to walk away when you remember something, catching him and moving away from Joe to speak privately. 

“Ummm…..” you haven't a clue how to approach nor explain this but try your best. “Joe…..he’s just now in her life. She—she doesn’t even know he’s her dad. It’s….a long, complicated story, but we’re trying to keep everything private—”

He says your name, interrupting you, “ever heard of HIPAA? None of what happened tonight leaves this emergency room.” You nod, slightly assured. “And if it makes you feel any better, I’ll remind the nurses of that too.’

That gives you all of the relief. The last thing you want or need is this becoming fodder for the media. One of the many reasons you love your town is how off the grid it is with a lot of things. Most of them probably wouldn’t even recognize Joe, and the few who do would never dare speak of it outside of this same town, respecting that he’s still a human being. 

“Thank you, Kai. Seriously.” 

He offers you such a genuine smile and adds, “I’m glad I got to see you, Y/N. The circumstances weren’t the best, but I’m pleased to see you ended up happy.” He starts to walk backwards, adding with a slight smirk. “About time you moved on from the likes of Amir and Mariah.”

That throws you for a loop. You understand the part about Amir, but Mariah?

What did he mean by that?

You don’t really have time to think about it, because Joe is at your side, holding your hand and reminding you that you two need to get back in the room for Callie. That’s enough to put the confusion about what just occurred to the back burner. 

Thankfully, when they roll Callie back into her room, she’s still slightly out of it from the anesthesia. But when she comes to, she’s thrilled to see the both of you and announces in a small, proud voice, “I did it.”

It gives you another genuine laugh, and the two of you enjoy her, your brave, sweet little girl. 

As you expected, your mom enters the room, immediately going and comforting Callie. She gives you a little slap on your arm for not calling her, still upset about that. 

That’s also expected.

What isn’t entirely expected is your mom talking to Callie about why you and Joe need to go home for a little bit to rest because you’re tired too. She’s not entirely wrong, Now that you’re out of the flight of it all, you’re crashing and crashing hard. Even Joe looks tired. 

Surprisingly, your mom is able to get Callie to agree with this. It takes more convincing for Joe, but he also eventually relents. And instead of driving all the way to your place, you suggest you two just go to his hotel room which is closer to the hospital.

That’s an easy sell for him. 

Reaching the hotel, you convince Joe to shower first, as you have something you need to take care of. It takes some convincing, but he eventually agrees. Once you hear the shower running, you pull out your phone, surprised to see it hasn’t died and has enough, hopefully, for you to shoot out one more message. 

One you’ve been putting off, but desperately need, especially as of the last 24 to 48 hours. 

Alexis,

Hi. I know it’s been a couple of weeks since my last email, and I’m sorry. I would text you, but I have no idea where in the world you are right now or if you have reception. So, email it is. A lot….a lot has happened. Joe is back in the picture, and he knows about Callie. But, interestingly enough, that’s not an issue at all. He’s so good with her, and she already clearly loves him so much. We haven’t told her he’s her dad, but he plans to do it for Christmas. Callie also had to have emergency surgery last night. Her appendix. That was….a lot. She’s good now, made it out of surgery fine. Thank God. Also, Joe’s divorced. And he more or less told me he wants us to be together, and I don’t know how to feel about that. Sorry, this is all over the place. Joe and I have been up all night with Callie at the hospital, so my brain isn’t working. I just needed to send this now, because I keep forgetting, and I miss you and could really use some advice right now. I need my long distance best friend. 

Love,

Your favorite college roomie

You should probably reread your email before sending it, but that requires energy, and you’re literally operating on fumes. When Joe steps out of the bathroom, shirtless, you don’t even bat an eye, which is unlike you. You’ve always been insanely attracted to him, for obvious reasons. 

You just accept the shirt he offers, close the bathroom door, strip naked and step into the shower. So exhausted, you don’t even realize until halfway through you forgot to use the shower cap but thankfully only a little bit of your hair gets wet.

Not that it matters. Even washing yourself is such a task. 

You’re out of the shower as soon as you feel adequately clean, rid of hospital germs. You don’t even care that the shirt is the only thing covering your otherwise nude body, breast stretching against the cotton. 

It is what it is.��

Stepping out of the bathroom with your clothes tucked under your side, you settle on placing them on a nearby chair. Or maybe it’s a table. You’re not too sure nor do you care all that much. You just need to sleep. 

But, it’s also when you see he’s moving toward the sofa, you know you need something else. 

Someone.

“Joe.”

He turns around, and you move over to him, reaching for his hand. The tug is slight but enough to have him follow your guidance toward the bed where you switch positions so he falls on his back. Moving to the side of the mattress, you climb into the bed and turn on your side, back toward him. You don’t need to ask, because his strong arm is suddenly around you, pulling you into his hard chest.

Sighing in content, you allow his mouth to graze your temple as he pulls the blankets over the both of you.

Hand on his thick forearm that’s keeping you close against him, you murmur, “Callie comes first. We get her straight, make sure she’s okay.” You roll on your back, meeting his telling gaze. “Then we figure out us.”

Joe is staring down at you with an affection you hadn’t realized you missed so deeply until this moment. He doesn’t say anything, just nods in acknowledgment and caresses your cheek. Grateful and tired of so much thinking, you push your body against his, shifting with him as moves onto his back and keeps you close against him.

He doesn’t say anything, and neither do you, because none of that matters in that moment. You don’t need to think about anything, don’t want to think about anything, just want to be close to him, just be with the man you’re almost certain now that you never stopped loving. 

And also now wonder if he once felt the same, still feels the same. 

If he’s always felt the same way. 

[solution21]

Creating Secure Patient Forms: A Guide to HIPAA Compliance

In the healthcare industry, the protection of patient data is of paramount importance. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has established a set of regulations that ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic protected health information (ePHI). As healthcare providers, it is crucial to ensure that all patient forms and data collection processes adhere to hipaa compliant online form standards to maintain the trust and confidence of your patients.

Identifying Sensitive Information

The first step in creating secure patient forms is to identify the types of sensitive information that will be collected. HIPAA defines ePHI as any information about an individual's health status, health care, or payment for health care that can be linked to the individual. This can include but is not limited to:

Personal identification information (name, address, phone number, email, etc.)

Medical history and diagnoses

Prescription and treatment details

Insurance and payment information

Laboratory test results

Imaging and diagnostic data

It is important to recognize that even seemingly innocuous information, such as a patient's name or appointment details, can be considered ePHI and must be handled with the appropriate level of security and privacy.

Implementing Secure Data Collection

Once you have identified the sensitive information that will be collected, you can begin to implement secure data collection processes. This includes:

Secure Forms: Ensure that all patient forms are hosted on a secure, HIPAA-compliant website or platform. This means using encryption, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS), to protect the transmission of data from the patient's device to your systems.

Access Controls: Implement robust access controls to limit who can view, edit, or download the collected patient data. This may involve user authentication, role-based permissions, and audit trails to track any access or modifications.

Data Storage and Backup: Store the collected patient data in a secure, HIPAA-compliant data center or cloud storage solution. Regularly back up the data and ensure that it is encrypted both at rest and in transit.

Disposal of Records: Establish a clear process for the secure disposal of patient records when they are no longer needed, such as through the use of secure shredding or data destruction services.

Educating Patients on Data Privacy

Transparency and patient education are crucial components of HIPAA compliance. Ensure that your patients understand how their personal information will be collected, used, and protected. This can be achieved through:

Privacy Policies: Develop a comprehensive privacy policy that outlines your data collection and protection practices, as well as the rights of your patients. Make this policy easily accessible on your website and in any patient forms or materials.

Consent Forms: Obtain explicit consent from your patients before collecting any ePHI. This consent should clearly explain the purpose of the data collection and how the information will be used and protected.

Patient Education: Provide educational resources, such as FAQs or informational brochures, to help your patients understand their rights under HIPAA and the measures you have in place to safeguard their data.

Ongoing Monitoring and Compliance

HIPAA compliance is an ongoing process, and it is essential to regularly review and update your data protection practices to keep pace with evolving regulations and industry best practices. This includes:

Risk Assessments: Conduct periodic risk assessments to identify any vulnerabilities or potential areas of non-compliance within your data collection and management processes.

Policy Updates: Regularly review and update your HIPAA-compliant policies and procedures to ensure they remain current and effective.

Employee Training: Provide comprehensive training to your staff on HIPAA compliance, data privacy, and incident response protocols to ensure they understand their responsibilities and obligations.

Incident Response: Establish a clear incident response plan to address any potential data breaches or security incidents. This plan should include procedures for breach notification, containment, and remediation.

Conclusion

Maintaining HIPAA compliance in the collection and management of patient data is a critical responsibility for healthcare providers. By identifying sensitive information, implementing secure data collection processes, educating patients, and continuously monitoring and updating your practices, you can ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your patients' protected health information. This commitment to data privacy and security not only fulfills your legal obligations but also builds trust and confidence with your patients, positioning your practice as a trusted and responsible provider of healthcare services.