Medical Ethics, Professional Conduct and Health Law
Medical ethics, professional conduct and health law tests how a laboratory professional behaves when a result, a colleague or a patient creates a conflict. The NHPC framework links registration and scope of practice with consent, confidentiality and accountability.
Core rules
- Practise only within your registered scope; refer or escalate when a test or interpretation lies outside your competence.
- Informed consent: the patient must understand the purpose, risks and alternatives, and may refuse. Consent for HIV testing is specific and documented.
- Confidentiality: results belong to the patient. Share only with those involved in care, and only the minimum necessary.
- Report results accurately and promptly; never alter, backdate or fabricate a report. Critical values must be telephoned and documented.
- Notifiable diseases must be reported to the public health authority; this is a legal duty that can override ordinary confidentiality in the public interest.
- Maintain competence through continuing education and declare conflicts of interest.
Worked example
A patient's HIV test is reactive and the patient's spouse asks the laboratory technician for the result. The correct response is to decline politely, explain that the result can only be discussed with the patient, and encourage the patient to attend for post-test counselling and partner notification. Disclosure without consent is a breach of confidentiality and professional misconduct.
Traps
Discussing results in a corridor or with relatives who accompany the patient; signing a report you did not verify; and accepting a gift or inducement that could influence a testing decision.