KARE for Nurses Program Confidentiality Changes

Effective July 15, 2010, KBN will begin verifying participation of licensees in the KARE for Nurses Program.  This is in accordance with KRS 314.171 (10), which went into effect July 15, 2010, and states as follows:

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the board shall disclose the fact of a nurse’s participation in the alternative to discipline program to the public.  No information other than the nurse’s participation in the alternative to discipline program shall be disclosed.

This change stems from the Board's fundamental and paramount duty of public protection.  The Board will acknowledge only the nurse's participation in the KARE for Nurses Program.  This notice is only being made available via the Board's online verification system.  It will not be published in the Board's newsletter (the KBN Connection) or any other periodical.   All information including but not limited to reports, memoranda, statements, interviews or other documents either received or generated by the program shall remain privileged and confidential.

Participants admitted to the KARE for Nurses Program before July 15, 2010 shall be given an option as to whether they sign a Waiver of Confidentiality granting permission to the Board to provide online verification of their participation in the program.

The KARE for Nurses Program remains a voluntary, alternative to discipline monitoring program for nurses with substance use disorders.  KARE Program requirements include, but are not limited to, notification of participation by the nurse to a variety of individuals and entities.  This statute change promotes the accountability of nurses who participate in this Program to abide by this requirement.

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