[Dysphagia] HIPAA

[Casper219 at aol.com (Casper219@aol.com)]

This would actually be a misinterpretation of the HIPAA regulations.  
Protected health information can be shared on a "need-to-know" basis for purposes of treatment, payment, or healthcare operations.  Obviously these volunteers need to know the information in order to verify that they are providing the correct items to the patients. 
Volunteers are considered a part of the workforce, and as such, need to go through training on the confidentiality of protected health information that is a requirement of the HIPAA privacy rule.  
Cindy, if I were you, I would challenge the Administrator of the facility to show where the (incorrect) interpretation of the rule came from.  These volunteers are no different in the eyes of HIPAA than the dietary or CNA staff.  
If this facility is a member of the American Healthcare Association (AHCA), there are resources at AHCA's website that can assist them with their understanding of HIPAA.  
Needless to say, this has not been the practice I've experienced in my organization. 
Good luck.
Mary