How confidential is confidential?

Violations of patient confidentiality occur all too frequently. Conversations about patients and their care can be heard throughout hospitals. Although these conversations are necessary to manage the care of patients, the breach of confidentiality is of concern because of where the discussions occur and what is being communicated in public places. Healthcare professionals, including nurses, are at risk in matters of patient confidentiality. This article discusses confidentiality and its relationship to privacy and the trust relationship that healthcare professionals have with their patients, and offers some suggestions to uphold confidentiality within the healthcare setting.