Does doctor/patient confidentiality apply to nurses as well?

Question

Since nurses have access to confidential medical information, are they required by law [the same as doctors] to keep that information confidential?

Answer 1

Yes, your health information is covered by HIPPA whether it is the doctor, nurse, EMT, pharmacist, lab technician, etc.

Basically, your health information is shared on a need to know basis. The doctor, nurse, and other practitioners will share information about you in order to render treatment properly. They can share information with the insurance company to obtain payment. If they strip your name off of the information, it can be used for research. There are other limitations.

You can find out more by asking the doctor's office for their patient HIPPA notification form.

If a nurse is spreading your medical information around, you should notify his or her employer and make a complaint to the privacy officer.

Answer 2

Patient Confidentiality Nursing

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

But from a strictly entrepeneurial work-from-home standpoint, I can't help thinking about the types of information you have at your fingertips and it's value in a well thought out blackmail. Yes, it's an intriguing thought. I should become a nurse. I need to make a spreadsheet, because if I'm not mistaken, I could probably retire after only a few years on the job. What was your question again?

Answer 5

Yes indeed, every job I have ever had for my nursing career I have had to sign a statement about confidentiality.
It is important to know, that if you are caught talking to anyone anywhere, even in the cafeteria or the shops or anywhere that you NEVER KNOW WHO IS LISTENING!!
So, it is common knowledge that nurses should leave work at work and there are many people to talk to at work for support if there is a need to talk about a patient :)

Answer 6

Totally confidential.

Answer 7

yes. its covered under the HIPAA law that went into effect a few years ago. everyone from the doctor, nurse, EMS, pharmacist, dentist, is required to keep protected health information private.

but if you are a minor (age depends on what state you live in) there are different rules, like they have to tell your parents some stuff. also, if you are a threat to yourself or others they can tell.

Answer 8

yes definitely, they sign waivers when they start any nursing job saying not only that what they know will remain confidential, but that they will not try to learn any information that is not need to know to care for the patients they are themselves responsible for.

Answer 9

Yes, and so does EVERYONE in the hospital. Everyone takes a confidentiality oath and signs it before working in the hospital. If that weren't a law, don't you think every janitor, clerk, and kitchen staff would be telling the reporters about the celebrities and politicians they saw in the hospital???

Answer 10

Yes, Everything that goes on in the room can only be shared with close family with patient consent.