Final answer:
A healthcare worker can break confidentiality by improperly discussing or disclosing a patient's medical information without consent, or by mishandling patient data. This includes sharing information with unauthorized individuals, as well as breaches that may occur during legal and ethical dilemmas such as minors' rights to privacy versus parents' right to know.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two ways a healthcare worker can break confidentiality involve, first, improperly handling patient information, such as discussing a patient’s condition without consent or accessing records without authorization, and second, improper disclosure, such as releasing patient data to unauthorized individuals or entities. The rules and ethics of patient confidentiality are held to a high standard, under regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA).
For instance, it would be a breach of confidentiality if a healthcare worker shares sensitive information regarding a patient's HIV status with someone who does not have the authority, such as family members or friends, without the patient's explicit consent. Moreover, the theft and misuse of substances as mentioned in the clinical focus, while leading to the healthcare worker's arrest, also implicate issues of patient confidentiality where the patient's HIV status might be disclosed during any follow-up investigations.
Additionally, confidentiality issues arise when dealing with adolescents where healthcare professionals must balance the right to privacy of the minor with the parents' right to know, particularly in cases involving sexual health. This delicate balance underlines the complexities of maintaining confidentiality while also considering legal concerns, ethical dilemmas, and the different rights to information, particularly in scenarios where a sexual partner might be at risk.