3 Simple Tips To Maintain Confidentiality As A Nurse
Being a nurse puts you in the unique position of hearing things you probably shouldn’t or do not need to hear. You may be replacing a cannula on a patient or swapping out their IV pack, only for a doctor to come by and mention something confidential about the patient. They’re not talking directly to you, but your placement means you can’t avoid hearing it.
Obviously, confidentiality is a massive part of your life as a nurse. You must maintain patients’ privacy at all times, but there are often situations when you accidentally let things slip. If anyone discovers a breach of confidentiality stems from you, it can mean big trouble and your career will take a hit. Today, we’re going over three simple tips to maintain patient confidentiality during your working days as a nurse.
Don’t Gossip
I’m sure you’ve been in situations where other nurses may be gossiping about patients during one of the rare times you have a break. Or, you leave the hospital and travel back with coworkers in a car, sparking lots of gossip about the day. While tempting, you should avoid gossip at all costs. Even if other medical professionals do it, this doesn’t give you the clearance to do so.
What if someone overhears your conversation or one of the people involved reports you? It is always best to keep information to yourself, no matter how interesting or juicy it may seem. Don’t overshare with friends or family too - this is a major breach of HIPAA Privacy.
Never Store Information On Your Phone
You’ll carry your phone around at work, usually to help liaise with colleagues and ring people for emergencies. Sometimes, it’s tempting to take photos of things or jot down information on your phone so you remember it. Never do this as it’s a major breach of patient confidentiality.
If anyone discovers this info on your phone, you’re in big trouble. Worse than this - what if your phone gets stolen or hacked? Even if you know how to protect your phone from being hacked, there’s nothing you can do if it gets stolen and someone learns the password. Lots of sensitive data falls into the wrong hands - and the same can happen if you simply misplace your phone at work without locking it. Keep all patient info off your phone and follow the correct record storage processes at your hospital.
Only Share Information With Relevant Colleagues
There are times when you will have to share information with doctors or fellow nurses to help a patient get the treatment they require. In situations like this, double-check that you’re talking to someone who will play a role in the patient’s treatment. A surgeon doesn’t need to know anything about a patient they’re not working on.
Likewise, check with patients to see who they want their information to be shared with. People may visit them, but that doesn’t mean they want all of their medical info shared with these individuals. Keep it on a need-to-know basis with colleagues and always consult with patients before you reveal any information to visitors.
As a nurse, patient confidentiality can seem scary and daunting. You’re always worrying about accidentally letting things slip. A good rule of thumb is to remain quiet and only disclose information when necessary to the right people. This will help you avoid getting into any patient privacy or confidentiality rows.
