Privacy encompasses various aspects such as secrecy, sanctuary, solitude, tranquility, and anonymity. Conventionally, it denotes a state where an individual’s personal affairs remain undisclosed and undisturbed by others, often referred to as the “right to be left alone,” “the right to control personal information,” and “the right to protect one’s privacy or private life.” This right pertains to physical circumstances and interpersonal relationships.

In nursing, safeguarding patient privacy is regarded as a fundamental principle, alongside respect for autonomy, free will, and informed consent. Within nursing practices, protecting privacy involves ensuring physical and mental safety and promoting comfort, independence, and individuality. This includes measures such as respecting personal space and avoiding unnecessary body exposure. Moreover, privacy considerations extend beyond the realm of nursing assistance to encompass broader aspects of healthcare delivery.

In the medical domain, handling personal information, including individuals’ backgrounds and familial relationships, is commonplace. Given the rise of the information age, evolving societal values, and heightened awareness of individual rights and dignity, safeguarding privacy is crucial to protecting personal information. Nurses are responsible for upholding privacy standards during nursing interventions and practice.

• Japanese Nursing Association (Ed.). (2005). Guidelines for handling nursing records and medical information. Japanese Nursing Association Publishing.
• Tschudin, V. (2006). Nursing masterpiece series: Nursing that transcends boundaries: Approaches to ethics (Ibe, T., Trans.). Elsevier Japan.