When Mrs. Jackson is admitted, she signs a General Consent for Treatment Form and does not choose to "opt out" of any areas.

Later on in the day, she receives a call from a friend and becomes very upset because she did not want anyone to know that she has been hospitalized. She calls the nurse to complain and the nurse explains that the front desk is allowed to give out general patient information.

Should Mrs. Jackson's information been disclosed to her friend?

Could anything have been done differently?