Why LTC Nurses Shouldn't Fear Sharing Health Information

May 05 | Varsha Chaugai

Long-term care (LTC) nurses often hesitate to share health information with Powers of Attorney (PoAs) and Substitute Decision Makers (SDMs), even though these individuals have a legal right to access it. This reluctance leads to frustration, inefficiency, and increased regulatory risk. It's time to dispel the myths and embrace transparency in family communication.

PoAs and SDMs are legally entitled to access their loved one's health information. In the U.S., the 21st Century Cures Act mandates real-time access to electronic health records for authorized family members. In Canada, long-term care legislation also requires that families be informed of resident health changes.

Refusing to share information isn't just frustrating—it can result in regulatory complaints, audits, and fines. Instead of avoiding transparency, LTC homes should focus on making family access seamless and secure with a digital solution like Engage⁺.

Many LTC nurses worry that providing health information will increase scrutiny, additional workload, or even legal issues. In reality, the opposite is true:

1. Fewer Complaints, Less Stress

Most family grievances arise because the family feels left in the dark. When they can't access information, they assume the worst—leading to more calls, frustration, and even legal threats. A family portal like Engage⁺ ensures that updates are automatically shared, reducing misunderstandings and preventing unnecessary complaints.

2. Sharing Information Saves Time

Nurses may fear that giving families access means more work, but in reality, it drastically reduces phone calls and repetitive questions. LTC facilities using Engage⁺ report a 40-60% reduction in time spent answering family inquiries. Families no longer call to ask, “Did Dad eat today?” when they can check updates themselves. Nurses can spend more time on resident care instead of phone calls and paperwork.

3. PoAs and SDMs Are Your Allies, Not Adversaries

Many nurses worry that families will question their care if they have access to records. But in reality: Transparency builds trust—families feel reassured when they can see real-time updates. When families understand their loved one's condition, they are less likely to escalate concerns. Open communication fosters a collaborative approach to care, improving resident outcomes.

4. You're Already Documenting Everything—Why Hide It?

If nurses are confident in their documentation, there's nothing to fear in sharing it with families. If there's concern about what families will see, that signals a documentation issue, not a transparency issue.

Well-documented, accurate records are a sign of excellent care. Engage⁺ ensures that families receive only the information they are legally entitled to while keeping communication secure.

LTC nurses don't need to fear sharing health information with PoAs and SDMs—they should embrace it. Not only is it legally required, but it also:

• Reduces family complaints and regulatory risk
• Cuts down on phone calls and interruptions
• Strengthens family trust and satisfaction
• Allows nurses to focus on providing better care

A digital family engagement platform like Engage⁺ makes this process seamless. By securely integrating with your existing system, it ensures that the right people have the right access to the right information—without burdening staff.

Evoke Health is already helping LTC homes reduce communication workload by over 50% while improving compliance and family satisfaction. Contact us today to see how it can work for you!