Understanding Confidentiality in Healthcare

A nurse is discussing confidentiality and information security with a group of nursing students. The nurse emphasizes the importance of protecting patient information and maintaining privacy. To illustrate a common breach of confidentiality, the nurse mentions that accessing a patient's medical records without their consent is considered a violation of confidentiality. During this discussion, the nurse highlights that unauthorized access to a patient’s Protected Health Information (PHI) can lead to significant consequences for the healthcare provider. To keep patient information secure, it is crucial to only share details with those who have a direct need to know and to adhere to established protocols.

In this context, it is essential for healthcare professionals to understand that they must always obtain patient consent before disclosing their information, unless there is a specific legal or medical justification. Thus, a fundamental principle in ensuring patient confidentiality is to maintain and respect the __________ of information regarding a patient’s health status.