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Importance Of Confidentiality In Patients Care
Confidentiality in patient care
Confidentiality in patient care
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Confidentiality is a major topic within care environments. When it comes to deciding what information is shared and who it is shared amongst can be difficult. Confidential information, is information that is ‘not to be told to anyone’ (The Open University, 2015, p. 58). Information that is sensitive or not publicly known is confidential, also if information is given by a person who is in a setting where confidentially is expected then that information should remain private and not shared with others. It can be very difficult for a staff member to find the balance between knowing what information is confidential and appropriate information that needs to be shared between the staff team. In reality, employees do have to pass on certain information which is why the Health and Social Care Information Centre published guidelines that staff can follow regarding confidentiality (The Open University, 2015, p. 59). There are five rules within these guidelines, firstly, it states that any information about a person is to be …show more content…
kept confidential and that the person should be treated with respect. Secondly, the only time a member of staff is allowed to share confidential information about a person is if it is needed for the safety of the individual. It also states that information should be anonymised for the benefit of the community, also an individual has the right to object to sharing any personal information which should then be respected and lastly, there should be policies in place to ensure that rules regarding confidentiality are always followed. If a person gives consent for their information to be shared and they know the implications then this is referred to as explicit consent. The individual has to have the terms explained to them and they have to answer questions that need to be answered. If a person is unconscious then it can be very difficult not to share information without their consent, explicit consent if usually given before information has been shared with other staff but in some circumstances it is impossible not to share the information (The Open University, 2015, p.60). Another issue is if an individual has mental capacity or not, if a person is disabled or they are young it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are unable to consent to something.
A way of making each person understand what is being asked of them is to offer them a leaflet explaining that they are consenting to their information being shared and why their consent is needed. Also, another form of consent is implied consent, this is when an individual is unable to explicitly say that they want their information to be shared but their behaviour displays that they are willing for their information to be shared. In the study of Anwar, it is clear to see that his GP did not have any consent off Anwar, the GP just assumed that Anwar would be okay about being referred to the diabetes clinic. Although the doctor did not have any consent off Anwar, the GP passed on the information to the diabetes clinic for Anwar’s safety (The Open University, 2014,
p.53). Although keeping personal information confidential is vital within health and social care, there are times when confidentiality has to be breached. Care workers have no choice but to break confidentiality if a court of law demands them to do so, also if a carer believes that harm may come to an individual or others then they are obliged to break confidentiality and lastly, if it is in the best interests of the individual then confidentiality has to be breached.
All health care employees will do everything within their power to protect the patient’s right to privacy. This means they will follow the HIPAA law closely. They will disclose information that is relevant to a specialist or treatment. Also, means they will release information that a patient has asked for as promptly as possible.
A basic definition of confidentiality is that information about a patient is not discussed openly (Edge and Groves, 2007). This ethical principle became an issue when the government gave medical facilities lists of people who were in the study. Again, the patients were not informed that they would not be able to
Which is very important for nurses or any medical professional to do in the healthcare profession. Nurses are receiving these patients in their most vulnerable state, nurses are exposed and trusted with the patients’ information to further assist them on providing optimum treatment. Keeping patient’s information private goes back to not just doing what’s morally right but also it also builds that nurse – patient relationship as well. We also have provision three that specifically taps on this issue as well, as it states: “The nurse seeks to protect the health, safety, and rights of patient.” (Nurses Code of Ethics,
One of the five key principles of care practice is to ‘Support people in having a voice and being heard,’ (K101, Unit 4, p.183). The key principles are linked to the National Occupational Standards for ‘Health and Social Care’. They are a means of establishing and maintaining good care practice. Relationships based on trust and respect should be developed between care receivers and care givers, thus promoting confidence whilst discussing personal matters without fear of reprisal and discrimination.
standard 22- all consultations between human service professional are kepth private unless to do so would results in harm to clients or communities.
In the modern era, the use of computer technology is very important. Back in the day people only used handwriting on the pieces of paper to save all documents, either in general documents or medical records. Now this medical field is using a computer to kept all medical records or other personnel info. Patient's records may be maintained on databases, so that quick searches can be made. But, even if the computer is very important, the facility must remain always in control all the information they store in a computer. This is because to avoid individuals who do not have a right to the patient's information.
Support: In health and social care practice, an individual is given required privacy, given independence, allowed individuality. Besides these, every individual is given equal rights, support, attention and care and his friends and families also treated properly. In health and social care, individual from culture of wide variety to be served and for this reason, views and values from different cultures and communities are respected.
Although medicine is a field that is constantly evolving and we have obtained a vast amount of knowledge since Hippocrates’ era, it is telling to see that confidentiality is consistently valued in the care for patients. Beauchamp and Childress highlight the need for consent to divulge patient information. This shows how confidentiality promotes the autonomy of the patient, thus promoting a patient centered model where the patient holds power in the physician-patient relationship. This is a point that is further stressed by Ludwig and Burkie. The GMC includes the importance of confidentiality in maintaining the trust that both patients and the public have for doctors. This is vital for public heath because a general mistrust for doctors can form a culture where individuals refrain from seeking medical advice. This could potentially increase the prevalence of disease and mortality rates. It is seen that various methodologies indirectly support the concept of confidentiality, implying that its ethical basis is principally inarguable. In the UK patient privacy is enforced by the law and the two aforementioned cases demonstrate the severe consequences that can ensue when health professionals breach confidentiality. In both cases there was an elaborate procedure following the breach which evaluated the situation and decided the punishment. It necessary to have such
College of Nurses of Ontario,(2009).Practice Guidelines: Confidentiality and privacy-Personal Health Information. Retrieved April 3, 2014 from http://www.cno.org/Global/docs/prac/41069_privacy.pdf
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.
Privacy and confidentiality are essential rights of the public society. Shielding those rights, with respect to an individual’s personal health information, is the nurses ethical and legal obligation as health care providers. As new demands of advanced technology use in health are is increasing, it is very significant for nurses to maintain the privacy and confidentially as the professional connection of their patients and colleagues are dependent on it (Gorea RK, Gorea A, Gorea A, 2016)
...y is not absolute and that the disclosure and justification of some individuals cases can potentially be successful. Moreover the person who disclosed the information will always be the person under scrutiny of the common law. Professionally, if the health care worker adhere to the policy it offers much protection for the topic of confidentiality and the correct attitude to retain information correctly.
Patient confidentiality is one of the foundations to the medical practice. Patients arrive at hospitals seeking treatment believing that all personal information will remain between themselves and the medical staff. In order to assure patients privacy, confidentiality policies were established. However, a confidentiality policy may be broken only in the case the medical staff believes that the patient is a danger to themselves or to others in society. Thesis Statement: The ethics underlying patient confidentiality is periodically questioned in our society due to circumstances that abruptly occur leaving health professionals to decide between right and wrong.
Laws and regulations state there are no exceptions to disclosing information of a patient without consent. If a patient gives consent to a family member the healthcare provider may devise a code to give family members so they may confirm their identity.
There are some questions a patient 's doctor must be a secret, you can not tell a third party about the problem. Another example, if a teenager says to a doctor, "I am depressed, I have been trying to kill myself" ( "Youth confidential: a young person 's right to privacy"). Doctors are not sure of information, because the doctor is this guy right help. Teen confidentiality concerns may be an important barrier to access to health services. Adolescents have the right to contraception confidentiality when it comes to contraception.