Ethics Comittees, Code of Ethics, and Confidentiality Flashcards
What is “confidentiality”?
Ensuring that information is accessible only to those authorized to have access.
In ethics and law, some types of communication between a person and a professional are “privileged” and may not be discussed or divulged to third parties.
What are three main sources of threats/challenges to confidentiality? (What forms of communication)
Electronic sources
Paper/people
Legislation
What are some electronic sources that may be threats/challenges to confidentiality?
Fax, emails, computer screens, cameras
What are some paper/people sources that may be threats/challenges to confidentiality?
Conferences, charts, cheat sheets, signs, labels
What are some legislation sources that may be a threat/challenge to confidentiality?
Child, Family and Community Act
Adult Guardianship Act
Venereal Disease Act
Communicable Disease Regulations/Health Act
How does the Child, Family and Community Act relate to confidentiality? (What circumstances are okay to break confidentiality)
Child, Family and Community Act gives you a duty to report child abuse, or any suspected harm to a minor. This act also lays out the information you are legally required to give to children and families before treatment.
How does the Acult Guardianship Act relate to confidentiality? (What circumstances are okay to break confidentiality)
Adult Guardianship Act – if we have reason to believe that there is harm being done, then we have a duty to report that. This includes things like elder abuse, financial abuse, withholding medications, abuse or neglect, etc. You don’t actually have to disclose your own information to report this.
How do the Venereal Disease Act and the Communicable Disease Regulations/Health Act relate to confidentiality? (What circumstances are okay to break confidentiality)
you are required to report this to public health, especially if they are refusing treatment. This concerns STI’s such as HIV AIDS, etc. as well as TB, typhoid, hepatitis B, etc. You need to inform the patient that you have a duty to report to public health if their tests come back positive.
What does the CNA Code of Ethics have to say regarding confidentiality?
“Nurses recognize the importance of privacy and confidentiality and safeguard personal, family and community information obtained in the context of a professional relationship”
What are the principles of confidentiality?
Autonomy, beneficence, justice, fidelity
What are the values of confidentiality?
Trust, respect, integrity
What does the CNA Code of Ethics have to say regarding consent?
“Consent is the deliberate and voluntary agreement to some act or purpose made by a capable individual”
(Promote and respect informed decision-making)
What are three important aspects to informed consent?
Voluntary
Capacity
Comprehension
What are the legal considerations regarding competence (related to informed consent)?
Demonstrates understanding of information and how the information applies to the patient’s own situation
What are the ethical considerations regarding competence (related to informed consent)?
Personal values (sliding scale) Influencing factors Competency may vary