Privacy and confidentiality is an important part of your job as a caregiver here at Easy Living. Not only are we an agency that has to follow HIPAA laws from the federal government, keeping our client’s information private and their care confidential is just one more way we can preserve their dignity.
Let’s talk about keeping medical and other information about the clients you care for confidential. Because of your role, you’ll have access to sensitive information about your clients. For example, you might have access to their Medicare number because you need it when you take them to the doctor. You might also know where they keep their spare key. In both of these cases, it is crucial that you keep that information to yourself.
It is never okay to pass along medical information, including information about a diagnosis, to anyone besides your client, their designated family members, and others in their medical care team.
Most of the time, caregivers know not to give out information verbally. However, common mistakes can include using a caregiver app to document while on the bus home. This is not the best practice as anyone could look over your shoulder to see information about patients.
Another common way caregivers can give out information about clients without even realizing it is wrong is when they are out and about with friends or family. It is absolutely ok to talk about your day at work with your partner when you come home. In fact, talking about your day – the good and the bad – with someone you love and trust is good self-care.
However, you have to be careful what type of information you talk about and where you talk about it. For example, if you are meeting friends for drinks after work and you talk about how your client, Mr. Rogers, who lives in the old Tribeca apartments, is so confused lately because of his Parkinson’s disease, you are giving out too much information.
Keep any identifying information, such as full name or location hints, about clients to yourself.
If you ever have any questions about privacy and confidentiality, talk to your supervisor about it. We take it seriously and want to be sure you have the guidance you need to make good decisions.