issues reflecting nursing practice

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Recommended: Nursing theories and patient confidentiality

Confidentiality is a key element within healthcare’s morals, laws and ethics. The term refers to information patients reveal to health care providers remains private with strict restrictions in place as to when it can be divulged to a third party (Harvey. 2005, p. 157). Confidentiality protects human rights and supports nurses’ professional values (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 2013), for example making the care of your patients the first priority, respecting their privacy and dignity (NMC, 2008, p. 1). Confidentiality is a necessity but should not override patient care, or rule clinical supervision (Fowler, 2013, p.1196). However, it can often create dilemmas for nurses, as they must ensure their decision does not harm the health and safety of themselves, the patient or public (NMC, 2008, p.2).
This essay will outline the types of regulations and ethical guidelines that are imposed upon nurses, the potential issues that could arise and the measures that are being performed to abide by confidentiality laws. It will also compare and contrast how confidentiality impacts nursing practice across both adults and child’s nursing.
The NHS is obliged to conform to many policies including the human rights act. For example article 8 (the respect for private and family life) provides rights for confidentiality and article 14 (prohibition of discrimination), give people the right of protection from discrimination (Great Britain. National Health Service, 2010, p.4). It states that it is against the law to knowingly disclose someone’s personal data and identity (Great Britain. National Health Service, 2010, p.5), or to betray a patient’s trust who expects total confidence, without a justifiable reason, irrespective of thei...

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... religion, age, gender or race, and act appropriately from there, consolidating relevant patient information with other key members of staff (MPS, 2014). However some ethical and diverse issues can arise in emergency medical situations that differ between adults and children. For example cases involving religion or faith; if an adult Jehovah witness refuses a blood transfusion under any circumstances then there is little medical staff can do to ensure the health and wellbeing of the patient, however if a child under the same circumstances came in, the medical team have an obligation for the welfare of that child and can therefore override their parents or guardians decision (Wooley, 2005). Still beforehand the patient would be discussed and a decision would be decided by a team of health care professionals to ensure that their decision is the absolute necessity.

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