Same thing calling asking for parent of a child who was recently in a hospital. Is someone from the hospital breaking HIPPA laws and giving out this information and why? They refused to identify themselves and would not give the number to their agency, called Quality Data Management from Ohio, and said they would give the number to the Hospital.
Question is something we sign when we or our family member enters the hospital give them permission to release this information to a third party quality control company, if so is that a HIPPA violation?
Called back but phone not even ringing - and now that I'm reading other posts, I have to add that my son recently had his appendix out. . . . . .if they are genuinely concerned for my son's safety and care, they were welcome to pay him a visit in the hospital - as I'm sure this could help find kids who do need intervention.
I received a call from this number today, and did not answer it either. No message.
After finding this discussion board, and reading through people's various comments, I did a little Googling. Hopefully the following will help alleviate concerns about this call coming from someone creepy or sketchy.
I recognized the 440 area-code as being from the Cleveland suburbs. I also am in the business of consumer research, and am familiar with standard consumer marketing research practices.
I believe this is a call coming from Quality Data Management (as others have previously identified), a legitimate Survey Research call center that conducts Patient Satisfaction surveys for various hospitals, patient care centers, and other medical facilities to measure ongoing performance (quality, value, outcomes).
Their website is www.qdmnet.com. Their phone number is listed on the website.
In all likelihood, they got your number / name from a randomized list of patients that have been serviced by a medical / hospital group. The list might have been purchased (name, number, hospital name) or the hospital itself might have directly hired QDM to perform research and gather data / report on various metrics to assist in the improvement of the quality and delivery of health-care services.
With research like this, personal info such as name/phone is often separated from response data to maintain anonymity. However, depending on the facility and the nature of the research, sometimes individuals who have reported negative feedback are contacted in an effort to rectify the situation.
Most hospital / medical forms and paperwork contain a clause about HIPPA, however I believe that using personal information for the purposes of "quality assessment" and "provider evaluation" is considered to be categorized under "health care operations" and so does not require an explicit signature authorizing use. However I have seen some medical facilities request a separate signature to authorize the use of patient data to improve services.
I am surprised that they wouldn't ask to speak to the parent or guardian of the 10 year old or other minor, but perhaps they don't have that instruction / allowance built into their survey. The person on the other end of the phone is given a very specific set of instructions, as these surveys are usually very rigid and do not allow for responses that are outside the parameters of the questionnaire. By it's nature the rigidity doesn't create a friendly conversation, but it is necessary as they are trying to collect statistically significant data.
Typically with call centers, the phone that is calling is not connected to a specific number - rather all outgoing calls appear to come from a general number that does not correspond to an incoming phone line. It is like when you get an email from an email address that says "no-reply". Which is why when you call back, you get a dead line.
More info on QDM's survey process: http://qdmnet.com/qdm/ps_fs.html
The purpose for this research is likely to gather patient feedback for the following product / service type (as quoted from the website directly):
Clinical Value Compass
Aim: To provide healthcare leaders, at multiple levels of a healthcare delivery system, with a sound model for measuring and improving the quality and value of health care.
Target: Patient Outcomes & Clinical Care Processes
Levels of Analysis:
Total Organization
Clinical Service line
Clinical Microsystem
Clinical Value Compass Points
Functioning (North)
This is a measure of patients' physical function, mental health, and risk status.
Cost (South)
This is a measure of the medical and social costs associated with patients' care experiences.
Patient Satisfaction (East)
This is a measure of patients' satisfaction with their care experiences and health outcomes.
Clinical Outcomes (West)
This is a measure of the clinical and biological health outcomes of patients' care experiences.