Situation: Disclosing Hepatitis C Diagnosis to Patient and Dealing with Privacy Concerns

QUESTION

You are the nursing professional in charge of a patient who has presented multiple symptoms. After several studies, the patient has been diagnosed with hepatitis C. After the doctor discusses the laboratory results with the patient, you proceed to educate the patient about the disease and the treatment to follow. In the process, the patient asks her to keep the diagnosis discreet with her relatives. Later, the patient’s wife asks to speak with you and the doctor because she wants to know the results of the laboratories and studies performed. The wife is distressed and concerned about the health of her husband.

1. Identify the duties and responsibilities of the nursing professional in this situation in patient care.
2. Identify how you, in your role as a patient’s rights advocate, would handle the situation and how you would maintain a line between personal and professional values, when exercising your role as a nursing professional.

ANSWER

Situation: Disclosing Hepatitis C Diagnosis to Patient and Dealing with Privacy Concerns

Duties and Responsibilities of the Nursing Professional

In this situation, the nursing professional has several duties and responsibilities in patient care:

Patient Education: The nursing professional should provide comprehensive education to the patient about hepatitis C, including its causes, transmission, treatment options, potential complications, and lifestyle modifications. Education should focus on promoting understanding, self-care, and adherence to treatment plans.

Confidentiality: Respecting patient confidentiality is a fundamental duty of the nursing professional. The nurse must ensure that the patient’s personal health information is kept private and disclosed only to authorized individuals involved in the patient’s care.

Emotional Support: The nursing professional should offer emotional support to both the patient and their spouse. It is essential to empathize with their concerns, address their fears, and provide reassurance during this challenging time.

Effective Communication: The nurse should establish clear and open lines of communication with the patient and their spouse. It is crucial to listen attentively to their questions, concerns, and preferences, and provide clear and accurate information to help them make informed decisions about their care.

Advocacy: Acting as a patient advocate, the nursing professional should ensure that the patient’s rights, preferences, and privacy are respected. This includes advocating for the patient’s request to keep the diagnosis discreet from relatives, while also addressing the concerns of the patient’s wife.

Handling the Situation as a Patient’s Rights Advocate

As a patient’s rights advocate, the nursing professional can approach the situation in the following manner, while maintaining a line between personal and professional values:

Active Listening: When the patient’s wife expresses her distress and desire to know the laboratory results, the nursing professional should actively listen and acknowledge her concerns. Demonstrating empathy and understanding can help establish trust and create a supportive environment.

Respect for Privacy: While respecting the patient’s wish for confidentiality, the nursing professional should explain the importance of patient autonomy and confidentiality in healthcare. They can explain that the patient has requested to keep the diagnosis discreet, and the nursing professional will support their decision unless there are legal or ethical obligations that require disclosure.

Collaboration with the Healthcare Team: The nursing professional should communicate with the doctor and discuss the patient’s wife’s concerns. Together, they can determine if there are any legal or ethical obligations to disclose the diagnosis to the spouse. If the patient’s request for privacy can be honored without compromising the spouse’s right to information, alternative strategies for supporting the spouse can be explored, such as providing general information about the patient’s condition without revealing the specific diagnosis.

Educating the Spouse: If appropriate and with the patient’s consent, the nursing professional can provide the spouse with general information about hepatitis C, its transmission, and the importance of taking necessary precautions to protect their own health. This can help address the spouse’s concerns while respecting the patient’s privacy.

Balancing Personal and Professional Values: As a nursing professional, it is essential to recognize personal values and biases, but always prioritize the well-being and autonomy of the patient. Upholding ethical principles, respecting confidentiality, and advocating for patient rights should guide decision-making and actions, ensuring a patient-centered approach.

In conclusion, the nursing professional in this situation has duties and responsibilities including patient education, confidentiality, emotional support, effective communication, and advocacy. Handling the situation as a patient’s rights advocate involves active listening, respecting privacy, collaborating with the healthcare team, educating the spouse within the limits of patient confidentiality, and balancing personal and professional values. By upholding ethical principles and prioritizing patient autonomy, the nursing professional can navigate this situation sensitively and effectively.