Awareness of ethical behavior of nurses in handling nursing information

Abstract

A total of 147 valid responses were obtained from a stratified random sample of nursing managers working in general hospitals and qualified managers working in visiting nursing stations were surveyed through a self-administered, unmarked questionnaire with the purpose of clarifying their perceptions of ethical behavior when handling nursing information. The survey was conducted using qualitative descriptive analysis of free-response statements regarding perceptions of ethical behavior when handling nursing information, and six core categories were extracted. It is desirable to make preventive behavior a habit with the clear purpose of “preventing information leaks”, and to implement countermeasures with this in mind. It is necessary to cultivate “honest attitude toward information and patients”, “cultivate an ethical sense of handling information” and “share information appropriately”. In addition, we believe that it is important as an ethical behavior to not only focus on keeping information confidential, but also to “ensure the integrity of the information” while also being able to “utilize it for nursing care”.