3. Confidentiality

Principle

Interpreters treat as confidential all patient information learned in their professional practice, while observing relevant legal or institutional requirements regarding disclosure.

Objective

To honor the patient’s right to privacy and to build and maintain the patient’s trust.

Description

Confidentiality is essential to building the patient’s trust. When patients trust that their privacy, dignity, and autonomy will be respected and safeguarded, they are more likely to:

  • Disclose personal health information which may feel embarrassing to them but may be essential to accurate diagnosis and treatment.
  • Consider and accept the provider’s recommendations.
  • Follow the treatment plan.
  • Continue to seek medical care when needed, and continue to accept interpreter services.

Standards of Practice

3.1 Share patients’ healthcare information that we learn during our professional practice only with members of the patient’s health care team who have a need to know. 3.2 Refrain from sharing patients’ healthcare information learned outside the interpreted encounter; however, encourage the patients to share medically relevant information with their treating team. Disclosure may be necessary to prevent a risk of serious harm to the patient or others. 3.3 Learn about the current legal and institutional requirements related to confidentiality. 3.4 Seek legal guidance if receiving a legal request to share information, such as a subpoena, to understand interpreters’ ethical responsibility and to ensure legal protection for everyone involved. 3.5 Take all actions available to secure patient confidentiality in the work setting. 3.6 Omit all identifying information when speaking about cases we interpreted.