The document discusses the concept of confidentiality, its types, and significance, particularly in medical settings where patient trust is essential for effective care. It outlines the ethical implications and legal frameworks surrounding confidentiality, including HIPAA laws and the responsibilities of healthcare providers. Additionally, it addresses public policy concerns regarding sealed litigation settlements and recent legislative attempts to enhance transparency.

1. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Saurashtra University, Rajkot-360005
Presented By:- Ms. Kajal Pradhan
M. Pharm Sem-3 (Pharmaceutics)
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2. What is Confidentiality ?
Confidentiality can be defined as a set of rules or a promise usually
executed through confidentiality agreements that limits access or
places restrictions on certain types of information
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3. Types Of Confidentiality
Legal confidentiality
Medical confidentiality
Commercial confidentiality
Banking confidentiality
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4. Medical confidentiality
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5. Confidentiality is standard in the United States by HIPAA laws
Due to the EU Directive 2001/20/EC, inspectors appointed by the Member States have to
maintain confidentiality whenever they gain access to confidential information as a result of
the good clinical practice inspections in accordance with applicable national and international
requirements.
In the United Kingdom information about an individual's HIV status is kept confidential
within the National Health Service (NHS).
Cont......
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6. Patients routinely share personal information with health
care providers. If the confidentiality of this information were
not protected, trust in the physician-patient relationship
would be hard to maintain.
Creating a trusting environment by respecting patient
privacy encourages the patient to seek care and may also
increase the patient’s willingness to seek care.
Why is Confidentially so important?
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7. Clinical and counseling psychology
The ethical principle of confidentiality requires that information shared by a
client with a therapist in the course of treatment is not shared with others.
This principle bolsters the therapeutic alliance, as it promotes an environment
of trust. There are important exceptions to confidentiality, namely where it
conflicts with the clinician's duty to warn or duty to protect. This includes
instances of suicidal behavior or homicidal plans, child abuse, elder
abuse and dependent adult abuse.
Recently, confidentiality laws have been changed so that doctors and nurses
face strict penalties if they breach confidentiality.
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8. Thing that Should be Kept Confidential
Name
 Address
Number
 Diagnosis or Sickness
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9. Add a Slide Title - 3Maintaining Confidentiality
Discuss resident and client information only in a place that is away from other
residents, families and visitors.
Any item with a residents name or identifying medical information should never
be placed in general trash receptacles. They should be shredded for appropriate
disposal of confidential information.
Do not keep a copy or make copies of resident information
Never discuss patients information in an elevator, in a hallway, cafeteria, or any
other public place within or outside of the facility.
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10. Public policy concerns
Confidentiality agreements that "seal" litigation settlements are not uncommon, but this can leave
regulators and society ignorant of public hazards.
In the U.S. state of Washington, for example, journalists discovered that about two dozen medical
malpractice cases had been improperly sealed by judges, leading to improperly weak discipline by the
state Department of Health.
 In the 1990s and early 2000s, the Catholic sexual abuse scandal involved a number of confidentiality
agreements with victims.
 Some states have passed laws that limit confidentiality. For example, in 1990 Florida passed a
'Sunshine in Litigation' law that limits confidentiality from concealing public hazards.
 In the U.S. Congress, a similar federal Sunshine in Litigation Act has been proposed but not passed in
2009, 2011, 2014, and 2015
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