Confidentiality

A nurse working on an orthopedic ward has established a rapport with a patient who has been admitted under the orthopedic team for surgical repair of a fractured wrist. The patient told the consultant that her injuries were sustained falling down the stairs. However, during a chat with the nurse, she asks ‘is everything I tell you confidential?’. She then confides that her husband has become increasingly violent and pushed her down the stairs. The nurse does not know if she should tell anyone.

• Who is owed a duty of confidentiality?
• In what circumstances can information be disclosed without consent of the patient?
• Should the nurse disclose the fact that this patient has suffered domestic abuse?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)

Clinical Ethics and Law, Second edition. Carolyn Johnston, Penelope Bradbury, Series editor: Janice Ryme