What principles of patient confidentiality might be an issue

Discussion Post

Use of Personal Communication Devices in Patient Care Settings

Preparing the Discussion

1) Discussions are designed to promote dialogue between faculty and students, and students and their peers. In discussions students:

a) Demonstrate understanding of concepts for the week
b) Integrate outside scholarly sources when required
c) Engage in meaningful dialogue with classmates and/or instructor
d) Express opinions clearly and logically, in a professional manner

2) Use the rubric on this page as you compose your answers.

3) Best Practices include:

a) Participation early in the week is encouraged to stimulate meaningful discussion among classmates and instructor.
b) Enter the discussion often during the week to read and learn from posts.
c) Select different classmates for your reply each week.

Task

A nurse colleague uses his personal cell phone to take a photo of a patient`s wound and then sends a message with the photo to the primary care provider via a text. Please consider the following in your discussion post:

1) What principles of patient confidentiality might be an issue? Consider legal and ethical.

2) How might this nurse use a communication device to support safe patient practices?

3) What would your organization`s policy on `personal communication device use in a patient care setting` reveal related to this case? (If your organization does not have a written policy, or you are not currently working in an organization, what do you think should be included in such a policy and why?)