What it means
A legal wrong (a tort) that a client can sue for. In health care it includes sharing a client's information with people who do not need it, taking or posting photos without consent, exposing the client's body more than care requires, and looking at records you do not need for your work. It often also breaks HIPAAHIP-uhThe Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a US law that protects the privacy of health information.Full entry rules and nursing ethics.
For the nurse
Close doors and curtains and drape the client during care, share information only with the care team and people the client has approved, and never post about clients on social media, even without names.
Related terms
informed consent
A person's agreement to a treatment or procedure, given freely after the risks, benefits and other choices have been explained to them.
confidentiality
The duty to keep a client's health information private and share it only with people who need it for care or are allowed by law.
HIPAA
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a US law that protects the privacy of health information.