A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a patient who is also a hospital employee. Several nurses have called seeking information about the patient.
What should the nurse do in response to these inquiries?

Rationale for Choice A:

Refer Questions to the Nursing Supervisor:

While it's essential to involve the nursing supervisor in situations that require their expertise or authority, it's not always necessary for basic inquiries about a patient's presence on the unit.

Disadvantages of referring calls to the nursing supervisor in this scenario:

It could delay the dissemination of essential information to concerned colleagues.

It could increase the workload of the nursing supervisor, potentially diverting their attention from more critical tasks. It could create a perception of a lack of transparency or openness among staff members.

Rationale for Choice B:

Transfer calls directly to the patient’s room:

Transferring calls directly to a patient's room without their consent breaches their privacy and confidentiality. It could also place undue stress on the patient, especially if they are not prepared to receive calls or discuss their health status.

Disadvantages of transferring calls directly to the patient’s room:

It violates the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality. It could disrupt the patient's rest and recovery.

It could place the patient in an uncomfortable position of having to answer questions about their health when they may not feel ready to do so.

Rationale for Choice C:

Acknowledge that the person is a patient on the unit, but give no specific details about the patient’s condition:

This approach strikes a balance between protecting the patient's privacy and providing necessary information to concerned colleagues. It verifies the patient's presence on the unit without disclosing any sensitive details about their health, thus adhering to ethical and legal guidelines.

Advantages of acknowledging the patient’s presence without providing details:

Respects the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality. Aligns with ethical and legal principles of healthcare.

Provides basic information to concerned colleagues without compromising patient information. Helps to establish trust and transparency among staff members.

Rationale for Choice D:

Contact the patient’s provider:

Contacting the patient's provider for every inquiry about the patient's presence is not practical or efficient. It could overburden the provider and delay the relay of information to concerned colleagues.