Ohio Nursing Home Administrator Practice Exam

The ethical responsibility of a nursing home administrator regarding resident privacy is fundamentally about protecting the confidentiality of residents' personal and medical information. This commitment to confidentiality is central to the ethical practice in healthcare settings, as it ensures that residents feel safe and secure in sharing sensitive information necessary for their care.

Maintaining privacy fosters trust between residents and caregivers, allowing for open communication about health issues, treatment preferences, and personal concerns. Furthermore, laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) enforce stringent standards around the protection of personal health information, placing the onus on nursing home administrators to create policies and employ practices that safeguard this data.

In contrast, promoting the facility’s visibility and reputation focuses on public relations, which may at times conflict with the necessity of maintaining individual confidentiality. Compliance with government reporting requirements relates to accountability and transparency in operations but does not inherently prioritize resident privacy. Sharing information with family members, while important for inclusive care, must also be balanced with privacy considerations and consent, emphasizing that not all personal information can be disseminated freely. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the primary ethical duty to uphold resident privacy above all.