More handpicked essays just for you.
Essays on confidentiality in medical practice
Principle of Confidentiality in Medical Practice
Principle of Confidentiality in Medical Practice
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
In this paper I will discuss the ethical dilemmas, ethical principles, values from CNO, and CNA, I will also discuss the laws. I will give opinions about my chosen scenario, how I felt and what I thought of it. The best action based on the analysis of this situation is for the nurse not to disclose this patient private and confidential information to her friend. Because if the nurse gives any information of her patient to her friend goes against CNO professional standards, (CNO, 2002). CNO defines standards as “Standards apply to all nurses regardless of their role, job description or area of practice,” (CNO, 2002).
The main ethical issue in this scenario is that the nurse can’t be his friend that the patient he dated is HIV positive, that’s because it goes against CNO Practice standard of Confidentiality and privacy (CNO, 2009). According to CNO “Nurses have ethical and legal responsibilities to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of client health information obtained while providing care,” (CNO, 2009). The nurse is in a bad
…show more content…
The CNO commitment that is involved in this case is “maintaining commitments” to her profession and patient, according to CNO Practice standard (CNO, 2009). Even though her friend is involved her commitment is to patient, the patient is her priority (CNO, 2009). The CNA values that are involved in this scenario are; “Privacy and Confidentiality and Health and well-being”. “Providing care and welfare of the patient first foremost at all times”, her job is to care for her patient while maintaining her patient’s information private and confidential, her patient’s information is not to share with no one, except those who are directly involved in care of the patient, (CNA,
This case presents a very delicate situation that presents many legal and ethical questions. Do you tell your brother his partner has HIV? I would tell my brother, but the how and when, may vary based on circumstance. From a professional ethical standpoint, it would be unethical to disclose the patient’s HIV status without consent. It would violate the patient’s right to confidentiality, as it is the patient’s choice whom information may be shared with (Beemsterboer, 2010, p. 50). It could also be argued that it is a violation of the principle of nonmaleficence. By providing the patient’s HIV status to people unbound by HIPAA, you are putting the patient at risk of discrimination. This could cause mental anguish or psychological issues, therefore, in essence, inflicting harm on the patient. The most valued application of nonmaleficence is, “One ought to not inflict harm” (Beemsterboer, 2010, p. 42). This would outweigh the ethical argument that you are also preventing harm to your brother, another less important application of nonmaleficence (Beemsterboer, 2010, p. 42). There is one professional ethical principle that I would argue was being applied. This being the principle of paternalism, stating that healthcare providers should do what they deem best for the patient according to their ability and judgment (Beemsterboer, 2010, p. 47). If the patient had a sexual encounter with the brother, and did not inform him of her HIV status, she may be arrested for reckless endangerment according to Pennsylvania law. A case where an HIV-positive person did not disclose their status to their sexual partner was brought before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. According to Pennsylvania law, “Disclosure of HIV status is a defense ag...
During week 4, we became familiar with the application of ethics in the nursing practice settings. We learned about ethical theories and principles, which are crucial when practicing in any clinical settings during ethical decision-making and while facing one or multiple ethical dilemmas. Also, we were introduced to the MORAL model used in ethical decision – making progress. The MORAL model is the easiest model to use in the everyday clinical practice, for instance at bedside nursing. This model can be applyed in any clinical settings and its acronyms assist
Introduction The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is the governing body of all registered nurses in Ontario and is regulated. The CNO provides expectations and guidelines to follow, which need to be met by each Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) individually. As a nursing student, I am taught about the CNO and the importance of referring back to the guidelines while caring for patients. While gaining experience in the nursing field through my clinical settings, I have realized as a nursing student there are areas I need further development in. In this paper, I will address two of my learning needs and my goals for each.
Under the code of ethics for nurses this moral issue is also conflicting because you’re first and foremost obligation is to the patient. Now you also have your institution ethical code conduct that you also has to abide by. Provision 5. The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to preserve integrity and safety, to maintain competence, and to continue personal and professional growth (ANA, 2001, p.18). In this case the nurse owes it to herself in making the right moral decision to preserve integrity and safety of patient and
As an advocate for patients, their information is solely for helping the patient understand their condition more and making the best decisions on their behalf, while in cooperating their beliefs and values (Nurses Code of Ethics, 2015). This also includes not talking about patient’s information with other colleagues, family or friends, unless it’s work related. It’s just like with any other situation, would you mind if your best friend would causally tell your secrets to other local colleagues? It’s a form of disrespect and violation of personal space as an individual. As a nurse advocate for patient it’s also important to make sure you’re a voice as well, for the defenseless groups such as, children, elderly and the mentally ill.
In my ethics class, I was taught on different principles regarding to decision-making. Nursing school has taught me different issues that I can face in my career. One of the biggest ethics issues I learned about is patient confidentiality. We will never disclose any information to unauthorized personnel without patient consent. We have an ethical obligation to patient confidentiality and not to breech this. In clinical and class, while we discuss our patient, we do not use any of the patient’s names. When we talk about our patient, we do it in a close private room and not in the hallway where everyone can hear. As a graduate professional nurse, I need to be aware of patient confidentiality and other ethic issue in order to maintain the
In this essay the author will rationalize the relevance of professional, ethical and legal regulations in the practice of nursing. The author will discuss and analyze the chosen scenario and critically review the action taken in the expense of the patient and the care workers. In addition, the author will also evaluates the strength and limitations of the scenario in a broader issue with reasonable judgement supported by theories and principles of ethical and legal standards.
In critical and complicating medical cases, family members often find it tedious to decide as to what mode or procedure of treatment is idyllic for the recovery of their patient. In such cases, well-qualified and medically educated can play a pivotal role in deciding the kind of treatment that should be given to the patient to enhance its recovery. In a contrary situation a nurse may know that administering a particular drug may improve the patient’s condition, but may be refrained from conducting the required action due to doctor’s absence or non-permission. There are numerous cases through which ethical dilemmas in the profession of nursing can be discussed. Nurses in order to remain within the defined boundaries ...
Nursing surrounds the concept of patient care physically, mentally and ethically. The therapeutic relationship that is created is built on the knowledge and skills of the nurse and relies on patient and nurse trusting one another. The use of nursing skills can ensure these boundaries are maintained, it allows for safe patient care. Professional boundaries are the line that nurses cannot cross, involving aspects such as patient confidentiality and privacy, ensuring legal aspects of nursing and the boundaries put in place are not breached. However, nurses accepting financial or personal gain from patient can also cross these professional boundaries. It is only through education in this area that the rights of patients can be preserved, as well as the nursing standards. Through education in areas such as confidentiality, boundaries can remain in tact and the patient care can remain within the zone of helpfulness.
In today’s society with the blogs, the gossip sites and the other forms of social media, confidentiality is a thing of the past. However, for, physicians and other health professionals, they are held to a higher standard to maintain a level of ethics and confidentiality for their patients. Confidentiality is a major duty for a health professional, but is there ever a time to where it is okay to tell what a patient says in confident? What if the patient is a minor, or a senior citizen or someone who is mentally challenged? What if a patient is being abused or wants to commit suicide? Does it matter if it is a nurse, or a dentist, or a psychologist or is all medical professional held to the same moral standard? What roles does a consent form or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act plays in the medical world in being confidentiality? I would like to explore Confidentiality and the moral effects it has on the health profession.
She also had ovarian cancer, was on heparin, and was waiting for surgery to be scheduled. I displayed professionalism by not sharing personal patient information with anyone outside of her health care team. This patient was a nurse in her previous career, ands he was very educated on her disease process. I did take notes during my time with her, but all notes I wrote I shredded before leaving the floor for the day. There was also respect for my patient shown on my part by giving her rest time when she stated she was
As health care providers, nurses strive to instill confidence in their patients and their loved ones. A nurse is respectful to their colleagues as well as their patients. Nurses promote patients’ independence, patients can be confident in the knowledge that a nurse will do what is best for them, respecting their privacy and dignity. This means that a nurse does not share the patient information for personal reasons nor does the nurse get involved in a patients personal relationship if it is not medically relevant (NCSBN, 2011).
Nursing may be seen as very independent work even though there will be situations that will require others. Friendships may be formed; however, to have professional interactions is something that is not always followed. In terms of patient confidentiality, we may not realize that a HIPPA violation has occurred due to friendly conversation with coworkers. If a patient were to overhear their nurse discussing their information in an unprofessional manner then it may cause issues with a patient’s dignity and their rights. If a patient’s right is violated then it can lead to a patient’s mistrust in their caregiver, leading to mistrust in the facilities, and can end with a patient’s health being compromised. The patient is the reason for this career; if the needs of the patient are being unmet or violated then the purpose of our occupation will be unsuccessful and
In conclusion, there are numerous legal and ethical issues apparent in the nursing practice. Nurses should study and be as informed as they can with ethics and legality within their field in order to ensure no mistakes occur. Ethical issues vary based on patient’s views, religion, and environment. Nurses are influenced by these same views, but most of the time they are not the same as the patients. As a nurse we must learn to put the care of our patients and their beliefs, rights, and wishes before our own personal
Non-Commissioned Officers are deficient in vital areas of leadership due to a lack of training. This leads to inexperienced Soldiers becoming inexperienced leaders. The NCO corps needs to develop and enforce comprehensive interactive training that will challenge the next generation to achieve a functional level of communication skills before advancing to leadership positions. This will generate leaders who can write effectively, speak meritoriously and teach adaptively while training others to do the same.