Question

The nurse is working in the emergency department when a call is received from a police officer asking about the condition of one his colleagues who has been injured while on duty. Which is an appropriate nursing action? A. Give only general information about the client. B. Encourage the officer to contact a member of the client's family. C. Transfer the call to the hospital administrator. D. Answer his questions once the identity of the officer is confirmed.

Short answer

B. Encourage the officer to contact a member of the client's family.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Question’s Context

Understand that you're being asked about appropriate nursing actions concerning giving information about a patient who is a police officer injured on duty.

Review Patient Confidentiality Principles

Recall that patient confidentiality is a key aspect of patient care and HIPAA regulations. Information about a patient can only be shared under specific conditions.

Analyze Each Option

Evaluate each given option: - Option A: Giving general information may still breach confidentiality laws. - Option B: Encouraging the officer to contact a family member may respect privacy policies. - Option C: Transferring the call to the hospital administrator may be appropriate as they handle such inquiries. - Option D: Answering questions after confirming the officer's identity may still violate confidentiality without patient consent.

Choose the Most Appropriate Option

Based on privacy principles, the most suitable course of action is guiding the officer to contact a member of the client's family, who can then provide the information if appropriate.

Key concepts

Patient Privacy

Patient privacy is a fundamental right and principle in healthcare. It means that personal and health information about a patient must be protected and kept confidential at all times. In the context of a busy emergency department, maintaining patient privacy can be challenging but is essential. When dealing with situations like responding to inquiries about a patient's condition, nurses must be careful not to disclose sensitive information. Key points to remember about patient privacy include:
- Only share information with individuals who are directly involved in the patient's care or have legal rights to the information.
- Always seek consent from the patient before sharing any health details with others.
- Use private spaces for conversations about patient conditions whenever possible.
These practices ensure that the patient's right to privacy is upheld and that trust is maintained between patients and healthcare providers.

HIPAA Regulations

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient data. Any organization that deals with protected health information (PHI) must ensure that all the required physical, network, and process security measures are in place and followed. In an emergency department, adherence to HIPAA regulations is crucial. Here are some key elements to understand:
- **PHI Protection:** This includes any information about health status, provision of healthcare, or payment for healthcare that can be linked to an individual.
- **Minimum Necessary Rule:** Healthcare providers should only access, use, or share the minimum amount of information necessary to accomplish their intended purpose.
- **Written Consent:** Patient information should not be shared without the patient's written consent unless in specific situations outlined by HIPAA, such as public health activities or law enforcement purposes.
Knowing and applying HIPAA regulations in daily practice helps protect patient privacy and avoids legal repercussions for the healthcare facility.

Emergency Department Protocols

Emergency department protocols are designed to ensure efficient and safe care for patients, while also protecting their rights and privacy. Specific protocols can vary between facilities, but some common guidelines include:
- **Triage Procedures:** Quickly determining the severity of a patient's condition to prioritize care.
- **Communication Protocols:** Clear steps on how staff should handle information requests, including those from family members and law enforcement.
- **Privacy Measures:** Implementing methods to shield patient information from unauthorized access, such as private consultation areas and secure electronic records.
In the given scenario, the proper protocol would involve not disclosing patient information directly to the police officer. Instead, informing the officer to contact the family aligns with both privacy considerations and the facility's protocols. By adhering to these protocols, emergency department staff can maintain a balance between effective patient care and confidentiality.