Nurses are exposed to an immense variety of events taking place in the medical field. Although some stories may seem great to share- it is crucial that nurses are aware of the importance of maintaining confidentiality in all aspects of their job. It is key to the safety of your workplace, patients and coworkers that you do not discuss important details of the job to anyone other than your coworkers.
Confidentiality Policies and Procedures
Nursing Assistants are well trained in the policies and procedures of the facility. While it is important to follow them, it is not recommended to discuss them outside of the facility. For example, you don’t want to provide others with confidential information regarding evacuation and other emergency procedures. Doing so may compromise the safety of the patients and staff during a natural disaster or violent attack.
Protecting Medical Staff
Confidentiality also includes other medical staff. Nurses should not be disclosing any information they overhear among other staff in regards to a patient. Likewise, they should not disclose any information that they hear about the private interactions of staff. Often referred to as gossip, this violation of confidentiality can result in poor working relationships. The result is often a stressful work environment and patients not receiving the best care because lines of communication are not open.
Patient Confidentiality
Patients requiring care in a medical facility are to have their privacy protected. This means you do not discuss their care or other personal information with any other person except staff that have an interest in the care of that patient. Confidentiality becomes an issue when you begin sharing information about a patient with people who are unrelated to the care team of the patient.
All patients have the right to their privacy being maintained. Compromising this information is a direct violation of every medical practice. Providing such information can result in termination of your job, and in some cases, the loss of your Nursing License.
Violating Confidentiality in Nursing
If you get reported for breaking patient confidentiality expectations- you could be reported to TBON and subject to a Texas Board of Nursing Investigation. If you receive a complaint letter from the TBON, you have 30 days to respond. It is critical that you contact a TBON attorney to assist with your case. Don’t waste any time at all- your career is on the line.
What to do if you violated confidentiality
If you find yourself in these circumstances, you should hire a TBON attorney as soon as possible. The Texas Board of Nursing is not your friend and a qualified TBON attorney can help you cut through the red tape. TBON attorneys are trained in all of the complicated ins-and-outs of Texas nursing law and know how to help you properly respond and defend your license.
Prevention
To protect yourself, it is important that you clearly understand the basics of confidentiality in nursing and why it is so important in the Nursing profession. Make sure you are fully aware of the specific policies and procedures in place for the facility you work for prior to accepting employment. Review these at regular intervals to ensure that they are fresh in your mind. Keeping a list of what you have to lose should you violate the confidentiality of a patient or put the facility at risk may also assist you in being conscious of the pitfalls of a mistake regarding confidentiality.
How Texas Nursing Lawyers Can Help
At Texas Nursing Lawyers, we are trained and qualified to help you with your TBON investigation needs. We understand that slip-ups can occur and that doesn’t make you a bad nurse. If you have received a TBON Investigation due to confidentiality slip-ups, contact us today and we would be happy to assist you.
See these pages for related information:
Quality of Care and Bedside Manner