What action violates patient confidentiality?

Telling a nurse about another patient's behaviors constitutes a violation of patient confidentiality because it involves disclosing information about an individual patient without their consent. Patient confidentiality is a fundamental principle in healthcare, which protects personal and medical information from being shared inappropriately. Each patient has the right to privacy regarding their health status and treatment details.

In contrast to this action, documenting patient care is necessary for continuity of care and does not breach confidentiality as long as it is done properly and only shared with authorized individuals involved in a patient’s treatment. Sharing information with a family member may violate confidentiality unless the patient has given explicit permission to share their information. Reporting necessary patient information at handoff is essential for effective communication among healthcare providers and is typically within the scope of care when performed according to institutional policies.