Confidentiality

• Confidentiality and privacy in healthcare

  Fundamental rights of every patient, crucial for maintaining trust in doctor-patient relationships, protected by laws and regulations worldwide
• Patient confidentiality


  The ethical and legal obligation of medical personnel and institutions to maintain the confidentiality of the patient's private information
• Medical professionals who break any patient privacy or confidentiality laws will be punished with disciplinary action or civil penalties. The severity of the crime decides the punishment for the culprit. If their negligence compromises the patient's confidentiality, they might also be held financially accountable.
• Aspects of patient confidentiality

  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Agreement on Secrecy
  • Act on Data Security (DPA)
  • Safety Statement
  • Governance of Knowledge
  • Agreement with Knowledge
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)


  Legislation that establishes standards for the privacy and security of a patient's protected health information (PHI)
• Agreement on Secrecy


  A two-party agreement that outlines the conditions under which secure private information can be exchanged and each party's responsibilities for keeping the information private
• Act on Data Security (DPA - Data Privacy Act of 2012)


  Legislation that establishes guidelines for the protection of personal information and data, including rules for how companies collect, store, use and distribute patient personal information
• Safety Statement


  A legal statement that informs people about how a business will use and safeguard their personal information
• Governance of Knowledge


  A method for controlling an organization's collection and use of personal information, and overseeing the dissemination of this knowledge within the organization
• Agreement with Knowledge


  The process of obtaining a patient's voluntary permission before undergoing certain medical procedures or treatments, by informing the patient about the risks and advantages
• Privacy is a fundamental human right. Every individual has the fundamental right to control access to their personal information and freedom from unwanted surveillance and control.
• Liberties of patients


  • Right to view their medical records
  • Right not to have personal space invaded in a hospital or facility
  • Right to select the medical practitioner and institute from which to receive care
  • Right to be told about the diagnosis and potential treatments
  • Right to have any concerns acknowledged and addressed before or after treatment
  • Ability to provide or withdraw consent for any therapy or procedure
• Entities obligated to maintain patient confidentiality and privacy

  • Nurses
  • Pharmacists
  • Administrative Personnel
  • Food Service
  • Health Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • External Laboratories
  • Third-party Contractors
• Confidentiality in healthcare


  • Helps build trust between patients and healthcare professionals, enabling patients to provide accurate and complete information about their health
  • Not just an ethical obligation, but also a legal requirement (e.g. HIPAA)
  • Healthcare professionals must usually obtain informed consent before sharing patient information
  • There are some exceptions to confidentiality (e.g. reporting infectious diseases, emergencies)
  • Maintaining confidentiality is more complex with electronic health records and telemedicine, requiring robust security measures
  • Breaches of confidentiality can have serious consequences for patients and providers
• Balancing privacy with public health concerns

  • Collect only the data necessary to achieve public health objectives
  • Inform individuals about data collection, use, and access
  • Obtain consent wherever possible
  • Implement robust security measures
  • Have clear policies and procedures for data use and sharing
  • Do not retain data longer than necessary
  • Ensure data collection and use does not disproportionately impact certain groups
• Key points on confidentiality in healthcare

  • Trust and Open Communication
  • Legal Requirements
  • Informed Consent
  • Exceptions to Confidentiality
  • Confidentiality and Technology
  • Breaches of Confidentiality
  • Data Minimization
  • Transparency
  • Consent
  • Security
  • Accountability
  • Time Limitations
  • Equity