Which action violates the right to privacy in healthcare?

Which action violates the right to privacy in healthcare?

• A. Discussing privileged patient information with a friend not involved with the patient's care
• B. Keeping patient information confidential and secure
• C. Sharing only with the care team
• D. Discussing patient information with a supervisor

Answer: (A)

Protecting patient privacy means information about a patient is shared only with those who need it to provide care. Discussing privileged patient information with a friend not involved with the patient's care violates confidentiality and can breach laws and ethical standards, undermining trust and potentially harming the patient. Keeping information confidential and secure aligns with best practice, ensuring records and communications are protected. Sharing only with the care team ensures that information flows to everyone who must know to treat the patient while limiting unnecessary exposure. Discussing patient information with a supervisor can be appropriate when that supervisor is part of the care team or when disclosure is required for safety, quality, or policy compliance, and should still follow the minimum necessary principle. Thus, the action that violates privacy is sharing with a friend not involved in the patient's care.

Protecting patient privacy means information about a patient is shared only with those who need it to provide care. Discussing privileged patient information with a friend not involved with the patient's care violates confidentiality and can breach laws and ethical standards, undermining trust and potentially harming the patient. Keeping information confidential and secure aligns with best practice, ensuring records and communications are protected. Sharing only with the care team ensures that information flows to everyone who must know to treat the patient while limiting unnecessary exposure. Discussing patient information with a supervisor can be appropriate when that supervisor is part of the care team or when disclosure is required for safety, quality, or policy compliance, and should still follow the minimum necessary principle. Thus, the action that violates privacy is sharing with a friend not involved in the patient's care.