Protecting Patient Rights: A Nursing Responsibility

Abstract

This article addresses the issues that practicing nurses should be aware of surrounding access to personal health information. In the age of technology, electronic transmission of medical records has created a new array of challenges for informing and protecting patients’ rights. The Health Insurance Portability Act of 1996 addresses critical issues and poses some actions necessary for nurses to understand to (a) facilitate patients in decision making and (b) advocate for the protection of information, which may be used against patients inappropriately. This article is a general overview of the specific right of autonomy for the patient, which may be in jeopardy of violation without the proper understanding of the issues we face.

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