Accessing patient records: what counts as an error of judgement?: Experts explain how and when nurses can access patient records, the rules on clinical justification, and risks associated with 'curiosity'.

  • Published In: Nursing Standard, 2025, v. 40, n. 11. P. 21 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Read, Claire 3 of 3

Abstract

Keeping patient information safe and confidential is a central principle of healthcare, and a key duty of every nurse. A nurse with 40 years' experience was recently suspended after accessing more than 200 patient medical records, including her own relatives', over a six-month period. She apologised for her conduct and described her actions as an 'error of judgement due to a misguided sense of caring'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Nursing Standard. 2025/11, Vol. 40, Issue 11, p21
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Psychology
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0029-6570
  • DOI:10.7748/ns.40.11.21.s11
  • Accession Number:189090787
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Nursing Standard is the property of Royal College of Nursing of the United Kingdom (The) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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