The Implications of Confidentiality for Nurses - 649 Words

Confidentiality: Implications for nurses The ethical principle of confidentiality is one of the core principles of nursing, along with beneficence and nonmalfeasance. Confidentiality...means that the information shared with other persons will not be spread abroad and will be used only for the purposes intended. A patients sharing of private information imposes a duty of confidentiality on health care providers. That duty means providers will share information only on a need-to-know basis (Silva Ludwick 1999). Of course, what constitutes need to know is a very subjective estimation. Does a nurse have an ethical obligation to inform the partner of someone with AIDS when the nurse knows the patient is having unprotected sex? In many states, there are statutory guidelines of which the nurse must be aware. For example, while Georgia statutory law defines AIDS Confidential Information (ACI) and makes the confidentiality requirements for the disclosure of ACI more stringent than those for other medical records, there is also a legal requirement that HIV-infected persons must disclose their status before engaging in intercourse or sharing needles (HIV Unit, 2012, GDPH). Under such guidelines, a nurse may feel conflicted, feeling patients are limiting information shared with health care providers, thus protecting privacy at the cost of impairing their health (Silva Ludwick 1999). Like all healthcare providers, nurses are bound by the federal Health InsuranceShow MoreRelatedApplying Ethical Frameworks in Practice - 1 Essay1237 Words   |  5 PagesFrameworks in Practice Patient confidentiality is part of the Nursing Code of Ethics and it is a nurses’ duty to uphold confidentiality of patient information (American Nurses Association, 2012). However, there are certain situations in which a confidentiality breach is acceptable, such as when a patient voices harm to themselves or others and certain sexually transmitted diseases STDs). The following is a breakdown of the ethical implications of a breach of confidentiality, the ethical theory, the alternativesRead MorePatient Confidentiality Essay926 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Patient Confidentiality: Ethical Implications to Nursing Practice Patient Confidentiality: Ethical Implications to Nursing Practice Patient confidentiality is a fundamental practice in healthcare and it is integral part of healthcare ethical standards (Purtilo Dougherty, 2010). According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) code of ethics â€Å"the nurse has a duty to maintain confidentiality of all patient information† (Nursing world, p.6). Also, when a patient confidentialityRead MoreEthical Framework1199 Words   |  5 PagesFramework As a professional health care worker, the implication confidentiality breach regarding ethical dilemmas are significant to nurse and patient. The information disclosed can cause problems on a personal and professional level. Breach of confidentiality occurs when the heath care work discloses the patient s medical or personal information without the patient s informed written or verbal consent. Confidentiality is needed between the nurse and the patient to maintain a good open and honestRead MoreEssay Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice1217 Words   |  5 Pageshaving confidentiality is for to gain the patients and family members trust. At any time this confidentiality is broken or the private matters are disclosed it is called a breach of confidentiality. Patients have the right for privacy related to their health care matters and it has to confidential among the health care team. Breaching confidentiality is morally, ethically and legally wrong. In this paper the writer explai ns about the professional position regarding patient confidentiality using theRead MoreSocial Media And The Breach Of Patient Confidentiality And Privacy1696 Words   |  7 Pagesof social media use has a lot to offer nurses in their job, it has given rise to some issues regarding the breach of patient privacy and confidentiality (Johnstone, 2016), as is seen in this case study. Presented is a scenario where a student nurse witnesses a fellow student post private patient information on Facebook. The following discussion highlights the required actions of the witnessing student nurse in response to the breach of patient confidentiality and privacy. This is achieved by discussingRead MoreEthics And The Field Of Healthcare1542 Words   |  7 Pagesdelicate situations. Nurses are on the frontline of patient care, collecting personal and family history, as well as consents for treatments and testing. With this responsibility, nurses can often be put into situation that involve ethic al dilemmas. Nurses’ are supposed to advocate for their patients, as well as protect their privacy and confidentiality. When a patient put’s the nurse in a situation that could potentially affect other people, what should she do? The nurse must be familiar withRead MoreConfidentiality : Concept Analysis And Clinical Application1312 Words   |  6 Pages Confidentiality is a concept of vast importance for professionals in the medical field. It is a professional obligation in this field and is considered to be an ethical concept that falls in line with integrity, compassion, veracity, charity, and fidelity as explained in both the International Council of Nurses Code for Nurses (1973) and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics (1985). However, in today’s ever growing world of technology and demand for information, challenges continueRead MoreConfidentiality in Nursing Practice826 Words   |  4 PagesThe Importance of Confidentiality in Nursi ng Practice This essay will discuss why confidentiality is important within nursing practice and the reasons why a registered nurse and student nurse are accountable and to whom they are accountable to in relation to patient care. It will further discuss patient’s rights in relation to law. Definition of Confidentiality, Bailliere’s DictionaryRead MoreApplying Ethical Framework in Practice Essay1161 Words   |  5 Pagesprinciple of confidentiality demands nondisclosure of private or secret information about another person with which one is entrusted. In hospital settings, nurses have the responsibility to maintain patient’s private information confidential and sharing only those information that are necessary to provide patient care. According to the ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses (2006), â€Å"The nurse holds in confidence personal information and uses judgment in sharing this information.† Maintaining confidentiality of patientsRead MoreApplying Ethicak Framework in Practice1151 Words   |  5 Pages Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Care providers strive to provide care that is patient focused that maintains confidentiality and respect. This paper is about the maintenance of patient confidentiality and the trusting relationships that must be maintained between the patient and the healthcare providers. Ethical Implications of Breaching Confidentiality Patients seek care and treatment in hopes of receiving confidential, unbiased, honest, and respectful treatment. They also