National Association of Boards of Long Term Care Administrator (NAB) CORE Practice Exam

If a friend requests a copy of a DNR form from the staff, what should they do?

1. Not release the DNR as it cannot be changed

2. Call Mrs. J's physician to release the form

3. Release the form to help the friend understand it

4. Not release the form due to confidentiality

The correct answer is: Not release the form due to confidentiality

Releasing a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form without proper authority raises significant concerns regarding patient confidentiality and privacy. The DNR is a sensitive medical document that contains personal health information specific to an individual, in this case, Mrs. J. Under healthcare privacy laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States, patient information must be protected and can only be disclosed to authorized individuals. By not releasing the DNR form to the friend, the staff is respecting the confidentiality of Mrs. J and adhering to legal standards that govern patient information. The protection of personal health information is paramount, and releasing it without the patient’s consent could lead to serious ethical and legal implications. Therefore, maintaining confidentiality in this situation is not just a matter of policy, but a crucial part of upholding the trust between patients and healthcare providers.