A visitor asks about a patient’s condition. What is the best approach?

• A. What is your relationship with the patient?
• B. Tell them the patient is stable
• C. Share details of the patient’s condition with the visitor
• D. Refuse to speak with visitors at all

Answer: (A)

Protecting patient privacy is the key idea. When a visitor asks about a patient, the first step is to determine their connection to the patient. Asking what their relationship with the patient is helps you decide if they’re authorized to receive information and what level of detail is appropriate. If they’re a close family member or have consent, you can share information within allowed limits; if not, you should refrain from disclosing specifics and offer to have the care team update them. Sharing details or refusing to speak at all would not align with proper privacy practice. So start by asking about their relationship to the patient.