Context for Practice: Nurses respect people’s right to privacy and confidentiality of information that is shared and documented in their written and/or electronic health records. Nurses act with integrity in relation to health records and are transparent about who has access, and the limits to privacy and confidentiality of information exchanged through various electronic means. Nurses intervene in instances of unauthorized or inappropriate access.
| Ethical Responsibilities: Nurses demonstrate respect for the privacy and confidentiality of information shared in health records by |
| 7.2.1 |
informing clients of the limits to privacy and confidentiality of information shared through various sources of communication (e.g., computers, electronic mail, facsimile machines, telephone answering machines, and other electronic forms); |
| 7.2.2 |
demonstrating ethical conduct in their use of electronic health records, ensuring accurate data entry, and avoiding the falsification or alteration of documentation; |
| 7.2.3 |
advocating for clients to have access to their health records through a timely process when such access is requested; |
| 7.2.4 |
providing information to clients about who will have access to their health records; |
| 7.2.5 |
refraining from accessing confidential information in health records, including those of a family member or any other person, for purposes inconsistent with their professional obligations; and |
| 7.2.6 |
intervening (e.g., following privacy and confidentiality breach policies, consulting with privacy officer for guidance) in instances where others inappropriately access the health information of current or former clients and in instances of unauthorized access. |