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Registered nurses have legal, regulatory, ethical, and organizational obligations to uphold privacy and confidentiality in all circumstances, in all roles and positions. With the privilege inherent in patient care comes significant responsibility and due diligence.
Privacy and confidentiality have competency and conduct requirements in the performance of registered nursing practice. Where breaches or violations occur, there is a significant risk for adverse impact upon the patient, family/community, registered nurse(s), employer, and the profession.
What Members Need to Know about Privacy and Confidentiality:
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Review regulatory and organizational requirements and guiding documents to understand minimum professional practice expectations.
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Know the privacy, confidentiality, and access organizational policies, procedures, and work standards most frequently applicable to your practice setting.
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When in doubt, consult with authoritative sources for assistance in navigating privacy and confidentiality-related practice questions.
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The Health Information Protection Act (HIPA) and Employer policies apply when completing Work Situation Reports (WSRs). No patient or personal health information should be included in a WSR or provided in supporting documentation.
Whom to Contact:
Local President/NAC Chairperson: Your Local President and NAC Chairperson are experts on your collective agreement and professional practice work environment.
Nurse Practice Officer: Your NPO at SUN Provincial is your professional practice expert assigned to Locals for support, advice, and assistance.
Regulatory Body: Your regulatory body (CRNS/CRPNS) is the regulatory expert mandated to protect the public. They can help interpret and apply minimum requirements and best practices in registered nursing practice.
Canadian Nurses Protective Society: Your regulatory body provides you with professional liability insurance through the Canadian Nurses Protective Society. You can obtain confidential legal advice, review their publications on topics impacting professional practice, and complete continuing education through their monthly webinars.
Nurse Practice Officer servicing assignments can be found on the SUN website, or you can contact one of the SUN Provincial offices at:
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