To the Editor:

This letter was written after a tough experience at the Princeton Plainsboro Hospital.

In regard to HIPAA laws, here’s a RED FLAG. If a patient has no family member, but has designated a friend as a driver, be aware that nurses at the nurses’ station refuse to speak about a patient’s discharge with a non-family member.

To bring a patient home without verification of discharge is negligent, even dangerous. There should be proper communication about discharge available for a patient’s designated driver.

I urge the hospital administrators to register and verify the driver’s identification on the patient’s chart and then to allow that driver to verify the validity of the release so that he/she feels secure when taking over responsibility for the patient.

LYNN SANFORD

Cherry Valley Road