Respecting the Privacy and Dignity of Clients
Published: 26 March 2024
Published: 26 March 2024
Healthcare workers are bound by law to keep the medical records and health information of patients, clients and residents safe and private.
There is an inherent vulnerability in seeking healthcare and accessing aged care. A visit to a clinic can involve removing clothing, being prodded, scanned and possibly photographed. In aged care, it might mean having another person undress, wash and/or shower you.
Through all of this, the client trusts that the care worker, nurse, doctor and other healthcare staff have their privacy and dignity in mind. Any breach of this privacy will justifiably upset the client and could result in them taking legal action against you and/or the facility.
Privacy and dignity are important considerations under the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
Standard 1: The Person - Outcome 1.2: Dignity, respect and privacy (Action 1.2.4) requires staff to respect older people’s personal privacy. This includes intimate personal care activities, which should be performed sensitively and privately how and when the older person wishes (ACQSC 2024a).
Standard 7: The Residential Community - Outcome 7.1: Daily living highlights the importance of older people’s right to privacy in residential care settings:
(ACQSC 2024b)
Older people’s personal privacy should be respected by:
(ACQSC 2024b)
Health information is any information regarding a person’s health or disability and any information that relates to a health service they have received or will receive (Better Health Channel 2015).
When a patient goes into a healthcare facility, they can make the decision to give staff access to their health records or to withhold them.
They do not have to, but giving healthcare staff their consent to access this information will help staff to provide the best care possible for them. Healthcare workers are required to protect patients’ privacy and confidentiality (Better Health Channel 2015).
Note: A person always maintains a right to access their own medical records.
There are two situations in which a health service may use or share health information without consent. These are:
(Better Health Channel 2015; Health.vic 2015)
Laws may differ by state, and there are certain exemptions that may apply in law enforcement situations and in a court of law. Remember that health information privacy laws only apply rights to living people (Better Health Channel 2015).
Standard 2: The Residential Organisation - Outcome 2.7: Information management (Action 2.7.1) requires providers to implement a secure information management system.
Action 2.7.2 requires providers to gain informed consent from older people before collecting, using, storing and disclosing their information. This information must be managed in accordance with relevant privacy legislation. Furthermore, older people should be informed of their right to access or correct their information or withdraw consent to share it (ACQSC 2024c).
Privacy and dignity are guiding principles of person-centred care. The provision of effective, person-centred care hinges upon the following:
(SA Health 2014)
Even the smallest details in your interactions with clients during their time of vulnerability will impact their perception of how you regard them.
Beyond communication, be mindful of the steps you take to ensure the person’s privacy and modesty are protected, e.g., closing screens, making sure the patient is covered, and keeping your voice level down when discussing private and personal issues (Skills for Care 2018). In aged care, this means carrying out personal care tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and feeding, with sensitivity.
Ways to let the client know that their preferences matter include:
(SA Health 2014)
An easy way to demonstrate to clients that their privacy and dignity are important to you is to involve them as much as possible in discussions regarding their treatment.
(SA Health 2014)
Clients and residents deserve to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect during and following the treatment process. Keep in mind that breaching privacy laws could have devastating implications on the lives of you and your patient, and on your career.
Question 1 of 3
True or false: Information, communication and education are integral to patient-centred care.