Nurses have an ethical responsibility to safeguard information obtained in the context of the nurse-client relationship. When clients entrust their health care and health information to a nurse, they expect and rely on it being kept confidential.
Clients also depend on nurses to maintain their privacy. Both federal and provincial legislation exist to protect a client’s personal and health information.
Practice Standard
Case studies
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Yes. Under BC law, the information in a client's record belongs to them and they have a right to see this information; however, the medical record legally belongs to the health care provider, hospital or care facility that made it. Follow your organization's policy when a client asks to see their health record.
The BCCNP Privacy and Confidentiality practice standard requires that nurses respect clients' rights to access their health records and assist them to obtain access to these records. BCCNP Standards reflect the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act whereby clients can make written requests to see their records.