There are a few common ways that health care workers break their clients’ trust without really meaning to.  See if you can spot the mistakes these nursing aides made: 1.  A client, Mrs. Jones, had been unconscious for several weeks.  Two aides, Sally and Mary, were working together to bathe Mrs. Jones.  During the bath, Sally told Mary that she heard the doctor say Mrs. Jones will die soon. (Please don’t talk about your clients in their rooms, even if they are unconscious or asleep.  You don’t know what your clients might be able to hear.) © 1998 In the Know, Inc. 2.  During a lunch break with five other nursing assistants, Jim told a story about his client, Mr. Smith.   Jim said Mr. Smith was very forgetful and kept trying to eat his dinner with a toothbrush instead of a fork.   The whole grouped laughed at Jim’s story. (Even if it seems like a harmless story, please don’t talk about your clients to other employees—unless they are part of the client’s health care team.  And then, do it in private, not at lunch.   Remember...if Mr. Smith were your father, would you want a bunch of people laughing at him?) 3.  Susan’s new client, Mrs. Brown, was a friend of Susan’s neighbor.  Susan told her neighbor that Mrs. Brown was pretty sick and would probably enjoy a visit. (Even if you mean well, please don’t discuss your patients with anyone outside of work, even your friends and family.  They have no business knowing the names or condition of your clients.) 4.  John had been caring for Mr. Carter for several weeks.   Mr. Carter’s daughter visited and asked John if her father’s blood pressure was okay.  John told her that Mr. Carter’s pressure had been high recently because Mr. Carter was eating too many salty potato chips. (If your clients or their families ask you about the client’s condition, tell them to ask your supervisor or the doctor instead of answering yourself.) What’s the bottom line? Remember to THINK before you speak and RESPECT the privacy of your clients. Four Easy Ways to Break Confidentiality (And How to Avoid Them!) IN THE KNOW PAGE 2