Problem
Case Example: An outbreak of an infectious disease leads public health officials to believe that a bioterrorist attack has occurred. To avoid panic of the public, however, the officials have made no public announcement of their suspicions. They have requested, however, that nurses be on the alert for new cases of the infectious disease and to report them immediately, along with certain information about the patient. A nurse asks her supervisor if she can legally make such reports.
What are the nursing responsibilities regarding disclosure of information during an outbreak?