Confidentiality is critical in nursing to protect patient privacy and build trust. Nurses must comply with laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which sets standards for the protection of health information. Breaching confidentiality can result in legal action, loss of licensure, and damage to the nurse-patient relationship. Nurses must be diligent in safeguarding patient information, whether in verbal, written, or electronic form.
