CONFIDENTIAL PATIENTS

REGISTRATION EDUCATION | New required query & questions

* Unable to Determine Confidential StatusReason Unable to Determine* ConfidentialConfidential Comment

1 COMPLETE THE REQUIRED FIELDS

PATIENT CANNOT ANSWER

Unable to Determine Confidential Status: YES

Enter a reason describing why the patient cannot answer.

Examples: unresponsive, altered mental status, trauma, or unable to communicate a choice.

PATIENT CAN ANSWER

Unable to Determine Confidential Status: NO

Reason is not required.

REQUIRED FOR BOTH PATHS: Confidential = YES / NO

YES: Patient requests confidentiality or a required category applies.

NO: Patient declines and no required category applies.

If unresolved, contact your supervisor for direction.

2 ASSIGN CONFIDENTIAL STATUS ON ARRIVAL

• Suicide attempt
• Police custody
• Psychiatric patients (North Harbor, Bryce)
• Victims of crime or violence, including assault or rape
• High-profile patients, until cleared by the patient

3 EXPLAIN CONFIDENTIALITY & PROTECT THE PATIENT

• Any patient may request confidentiality. Explain that their name will not appear on the public patient list.
• If a patient is confidential, we cannot give friends or family any information, including room numbers. We cannot forward cards, flowers, or other deliveries.

REMEMBER: UNKNOWN DOES NOT MEAN CONFIDENTIAL

• Do not mark confidential solely because identity is unknown. Document inability to determine separately and apply any required confidential category.
• Revisit the question when the patient can answer. Honor known prior preferences.