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Accessing patient records: what counts as an error of judgement?
Patient confidentiality is essential in healthcare, yet breaches by staff – both intentional and accidental – do occur. Experts explain how and when nursing staff can access patient records, or their own, the rules around clinical justification for viewing patient information, and the risks associated with ‘curiosity’, even about your own data. Though electronic patient records do create an audit trail of who accessed what and when, some say healthcare organisations should do more to restrict access based on roles and responsibilities. Experts advise on potential disciplinary action from the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), as well as legal consequences, and the importance of respecting patient privacy at all times.
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