At a monthly staff meeting in the facility breakroom, a practical nurse observes a coworker passing around a personal smartphone. The screen displays a photograph of a severe pressure injury. The coworker states, "The client gave me written permission to share this for our education, and I made sure their face is not in the picture." Which action should the practical nurse take first?
- Notify the nursing supervisor regarding the use of a personal device for clinical photography.Answer
- BVerify that the client's written consent form has been placed in the official medical record.
- CExamine the photograph to ensure no identifiable features or room numbers are visible in the background.
- DInstruct the coworker to permanently delete the image from the device once the presentation concludes.
Answer
The practical nurse must notify the nursing supervisor regarding the use of a personal device for clinical photography.
The correct answer is to notify the nursing supervisor. Capturing or storing any client-related images on a personal device is a direct violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and standard facility policies. Such devices are unencrypted and pose a severe security risk. The nurse has a professional and legal duty to report this breach up the chain of command immediately, regardless of whether the client gave informal consent or if identifying features were removed.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Confidentiality and Information Security