Question

An L&D nurse accesses an ex-husband's medical record without permission. What should the RN team leader do first?

a) Report the incident to the hospital administration
b) Inform the ex-husband about the breach
c) Conduct an internal investigation
d) Educate the nurse on confidentiality policies

Answer 1

The RN team leader should first report the incident of unauthorized access to the hospital administration. This ensures adherence to protocols and addresses the privacy breach properly. Subsequent steps will be taken by the administration, including potential investigation and policy reinforcement.

Step-by-step explanation:

If an L&D nurse accesses an ex-husband's medical record without permission, the RN team leader should first report the incident to the hospital administration. This is the most immediate and appropriate action, as it ensures that the issue is addressed according to the hospital's protocols and legal requirements for privacy breaches. The administration can then take necessary steps, which may include informing the affected parties, conducting an internal investigation, and, if needed, re-educating staff on confidentiality policies.