2. Meaning to the group:
To our group confidentiality means not discussing anything a patient tells you in confidence or otherwise with other nurses, medical staff, outside of the hospital, etc., without the permission of the patient, unless legally required to do so. Confidentiality is necessary to build trust with the patient. Anything the patient states, or any information related to the patient and the patient’s diagnosis and related care are regarded as private and privileged. The patient’s information must be protected and the patient’s right to privacy respected. In addition, the nurse must follow HIPAA guidelines to ensure that the patient’s information …show more content…
Health care providers and nurses have the highest degree of legal obligation to protect the confidentiality of their patients. If a lack of trust exists between a patient and nurse, pertinent information relating to the care of either the mother and or baby may be compromised by omission or denial. Due to diverse personal, cultural, and religious beliefs, confidentiality must also exist in order for the mother to have autonomy about the care she wishes for her and the newborn without outside influences or coercion. Abuse is a problem that may be unintentionally exacerbated with the knowledge of certain privileged information, thus confidentially plays a crucial role for these patients. Although confidentiality is of the upmost importance, a nurse must adhere to her responsibility of reporting mandatory information appropriately. Some examples of mandatory reporting include physical and sexual abuse, elder abuse, and reporting of five sexually transmitted diseases to the Texas Department of State Health Services which are syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, cancroid, and