Patient Confidentiality in the Emergency Department

Ethics: Health Care and Social Responsibility

HCS 335

Patient Confidentiality in the Emergency Department

Confidentiality and privacy are words used interchangeably in the medical world when they have very different meanings. Confidentiality is in line with protection of patient information from unauthorized users and privacy is in line with protection of the patient's physical body from unauthorized users. In the emergency department (ED) this is a lofty and constant task that requires vigilance from staff, in all departments, involved with the patient. This student will report on the issues with confidentiality in the ED.

Describe the issue and the population it affects most.

There are many issues with confidentiality in the ED...