Online Companion: Fundamentals of Nursing Standards and Practice 2E

Frequently Asked Questions

What are clients’ rights with respect to access to their medical records?

The client’s right to privacy and confidentiality of the medical record requires that clients themselves must submit a written request to have their information released, and then they must specify exactly what information is to be released and to whom. The client’s right to look at the medical record is determined by the state law in which the record originated.

My best friend’s father is a client on the hospital unit where I am assigned for clinical experience. My friend asks me to find out the results of the bone scan that was done on the client today. What should I do in this situation?

Nurses are bound by ethical codes and laws to treat all client information in a confidential and professional manner. This includes any information that is on the medical record. It would be unethical and possibly illegal for you to access this information if you are involved in the care of this client; it would be unethical to share this information if you had legitimate access to it.