Question

A nurse makes a post on a social media page about his peer taking care of a patient with a crime-related gunshot wound during his shift in the emergency department. He does not use the name of the patient. It can be concluded that:

A) The nurse violated patient confidentiality
B) The nurse followed ethical guidelines
C) Social media posts are always acceptable
D) The nurse should have included the patient's name for clarity

Answer 1

The nurse violated patient confidentiality by sharing details of a patient's injury on social media, which breaches medical ethics and privacy laws even if no names are used.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario described, A) The nurse violated patient confidentiality is the correct answer. Even though the nurse did not use the patient's name, sharing information about the patient's condition and the circumstances surrounding their injury on social media can still breach confidentiality. Patient confidentiality is a cornerstone of medical ethics and legal standards, and healthcare professionals are obligated to protect the privacy of their patients' health information. Sharing such information, even anonymously, can lead to identification of the patient, especially in smaller communities or when unique incidents are described. Information concerning the severity of the disease, minors, and confidentiality with parents further complicates the ethical considerations healthcare professionals must navigate. Ethical guidelines and privacy laws such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) dictate that healthcare professionals should not disclose any health information without patient consent unless required by law or in certain public health situations.