Module 2: Direct Comprehensive Primary Care in the LTC Setting
7 2.1 Person-Centred Care
Confidentiality
- Confidentiality involves healthcare practitioners obligation to protect & prevent the misuse of their client’s personal information
- Protecting privacy gives clients more control over their medical records
- Confidentiality and privacy are important in LTC because they protect individuals’ personal, financial, and medical information
- Resident privacy and confidentiality are also important due to ethical considerations like autonomy and beneficence
- Residents are more willing to disclose important health information when they believe that their information is protected and private
- Maintaining trust and respect boosts residents’ autonomy and self-worth, which is particularly important in LTC settings[1]
Strategies to maintain confidentiality in LTC settings:
- Access control
- Education and training
- Consent management
- Secure communication
- Regular auditing
- Privacy screens
- Data encryption
- Incident reporting
- Confidentiality policies[2][3][4][5]
Canada has two federal privacy laws that are enforced by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
- The Privacy Act, which covers how the federal government handles personal information
- The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), covers how businesses handle personal information
- Governs health information privacy and security
- Enforces strict rules and penalties for non-compliance
Importance for Long-Term Care:
- LTC practitioners must comply with the privacy laws
- Vital for legal and ethical high-quality care
- Privacy laws safeguard residents’ security, dignity, and trust, fostering an environment of safety and respect
- Prioritizing privacy and confidentiality is essential for providing person-centred care[6][7][8][9]