This document discusses the topic of confidentiality in a healthcare setting. It defines confidentiality and outlines its importance in enabling people to seek help without fear of stigma or retaliation. The document also discusses the limits of confidentiality, how confidentiality dilemmas should be addressed, and the potential consequences for employees and organizations if confidentiality is violated. These consequences include termination, lawsuits, criminal charges, reputational damage for employees, and regulatory penalties for organizations. The document provides guidance on what to do in the case of a breach of confidentiality.

1. Confidentiality
By Margaret Thompson
MHA 690
Instructor Martha Jennings
December 19,2013

2. Confidentiality
 What is confidentiality?
 Understanding confidentiality
 Limits of confidentiality
 How confidentiality dilemmas be addressed
 Consequences for violating confidentiality for the employee
 Consequences placed on the organization for violating patient confidentiality
 How it will affect the employee and the organizatioN

3. "Assurance of confidentiality is important because it enables people to seek help without fear of such results as stigma, r
"Assurance of confidentiality is important because it enables people to seek help without fear of such results as stigma,
"Assurance of confidentiality is important because it enables people to seek help without fear of such results as stigm
References
References
References
Why is confidentiality important?
 "Assurance of confidentiality is important because it enables
people to seek help without fear of such results as stigma,
retaliation, disapproval, or damage to other relationships.
Confidentiality encourages both full disclosure, which is
essential for effective treatment, and the maintenance of
trust, the means by which treatment is effected”
 unknown. (n.d.). Confidentiality. Retrieved from Quick Training Aids:
http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/qf/confid_qt/

4. Understanding Confidentiality
“Understanding confidentiality: Confidentiality is the obligation not to disclose willingly any
information obtained in confidence. Therefore, information disclosed in response to a search
warrant, a subpoena or a legal requirement for mandatory reporting is not a breach of
confidentiality”
unknown. (n.d.). Confidentiality. Retrieved from Quick Training Aids:
http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/qf/confid_qt/

5. 4 Basic Principles of Confidentiality
 1. Respect for an individual’s right to privacy.
 2. Respect for human relationships in which personal information is shared.
 3. Appreciation of the importance of confidentiality to both individuals and society.
 4. Expectations that those who pledge to safeguard confidential information will do so.
unknown. (n.d.). Confidentiality. Retrieved from Quick Training Aids:
http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/qf/confid_qt/

6. What are the limits of confidentiality?
There are times when professionals would prefer to maintain confidences but cannot do so
legally or ethically. Examples include instances when clients indicate an intention to harm
themselves or someone else and when they have been abused. As a result of legislation,
litigation, and ethical deliberations, professional guidelines call on interveners to breach the
confidence and tell appropriate public authorities when there is a "clear danger to the
person or to others" (American Psychological Association, 1981, p.636).
unknown. (n.d.). Confidentiality. Retrieved from Quick Training Aids:
http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/qf/confid_qt/

7. How should confidentiality dilemmas be
addressed ?
 There are certain obligations that arise just by virtue of the fact that a you are a professional.
ient.) It would be severely unprofessional for a nurse to disclose the physical condition of one of
her clients to someone who is not directly involved in the client’s care.
 Conversely, a nurse sometimes has a duty to share certain pieces of information regardless of
the wishes of the client for the information to be kept confidential, and this duty arises just
because she is a nurse
 Conversely, a nurse sometimes has a duty to share certain pieces of information regardless of
the wishes of the client for the information to be kept confidential. For example: a client is
saving his pain medication and giving it to his nine-year-old niece because she likes the way it
makes her feel. He tells the nurse, in full expectation of confidentiality.
Carisle, B. (n.d.). Moral dilemmas generated by a nurses profession. Retrieved from Mon Pays:
http://www.bgcarlisle.com/montreal/2011/09/29/moral-dilemmas-generated-by-a-nursesprofessional-obligations/

8. Consequences for violating
confidentiality for the employee
 Termination –breach of contract
 Lawsuit damages- An employer can also sue an employee for breach of confidentiality, and if
successful at trial, the employer can obtain monetary damages from the employee. For
example, if the employee shares confidential information with a competitor, the employer may
be able to prove loss of market share and revenue, which the employee would then have to
pay as damages to the employer.
 Criminal charges- In extreme circumstances, a breach of confidentiality can result in criminal
charges against the employee. A breach of confidentiality may constitute theft of the
employer's proprietary information or intellectual property. Theft is a crime punishable by fine or
imprisonment.
 Reputation- It can permanently tarnish your reputation. Future employers will not look on job
applicants favorably if the applicant has breached the confidentiality of a previous employer

9. Impact of consequences on organization
 Statutory and regulatory penalties for breaches may include: Civil Penalties: $50,000 per
incident up to $1.5 million per incident for violations that are not corrected, per calendar
year
 Criminal Penalties: $50,000 to $250,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison

10. What to do in case of a breach in
confidentiality
Report any perceived leaks in patient confidentiality to :
 Your Supervisor
 Dave Smail Compliance Officer 1-888-642=9876

11. Conclusion
 The Patients' Bill of Rights was designed to strengthen consumer confidence in the healthcare system, to provide a sound foundation on which to build quality doctor-patient
relationships, and to spell out patients' rights to receive good care and like most rights, it
comes with certain obligations to take an active role in making the system run smoothly.