​In March and April 2025, BCCNM surveyed LPNs, NPs, RNs, and RPNs about revisions to three BCCNM nursing practice standards: Documentation, Privacy & Confidentiality, and Consent.

The proposed revisions address identified risks and align with both current and incoming legislation, including the Health Professions and Occupations Act.

The public was also surveyed to gather client experiences related to health-care consent, privacy and confidentiality of personal information, and documentation in health-care records.

We sincerely appreciate the participation of over 1,200 individuals including nurses, Indigenous representatives, and members of the public. This type of input is invaluable to BCCNM's policy development process, and we are grateful for your contributions.

W​hat we h​​ea​rd

Regis​​tra​​nts​​

Overall, most respondents found the proposed standards set clear expectations. Nurses highlighted the need for accompanying resources related to relevant legislation and regulations, and learning resources on how to apply the standards to their practice setting. Additionally, they would like clarity on certain terms.

Spe​cific fin​dings

Documenta​​tion

• Respondents highlighted system limitations with electronic documentation platforms and the need for artificial intelligence safeguards.

Privacy & Confidentiality​​​

• Clarification needed that personal information referred to the client's personal information.
• Indigenous respondents highlighted the need for nurses to understand specific issues related to the care of youth and children, such as when it is appropriate to share a child's/youth's personal information with others.
  

Consent​​​

• Many respondents expressed uncertainty about who identifies the client's representative, as well as operational challenges, including accessing relevant employer policies and supporting materials.
• Indigenous respondents highlighted the need for culturally sensitive and client-centred approaches when nurses are obtaining consent to ensure safe care.
  

P​u​​​blic

The survey highlighted several critical areas in healthcare that require attention to improve patient trust and safety in the areas of consent, privacy and confidentiality, and documentation in health-care records. Respondents identified one new risk area that was not addressed in the proposed privacy and confidentiality standard: the importance of protecting health information from being inappropriately overheard, which informed changes to the proposed Privacy and Confidentiality practice standard. 

Specific fin​​​dings

Documenta​​tion

• Increased patient involvement in health-care records, including accurate documentation and easier error correction. Ensuring clients have access to their records and can confirm what is documented can enhance transparency and trust in the healthcare system.​​

Privacy & Confidentiality​​

• Concerns about breaches of confidentiality and sharing of personal information without consent, as well as having personal health information overheard in public settings. These issues underscore the importance of maintaining patient trust through secure and respectful handling of personal information.
  

Consent ​​

• Conce​rns about the consent process, clients feeling rushed and uninformed of errors in medical charts (especially during COVID-19 procedures) and coercion into signing forms without informed consent. There is a need for improved transparency and better understanding of the consent process.
  

Wha​​t ​​happens next? 

Policy staff will use this feedback to refine the draft standards, and findings will be shared with the Standards & Guidance team for learning resource considerations.