...the Study In the rapidly changing system of health care, many different factors have affected and changed the perception about how health care is practiced today. The rights of patient are also affected. Patient rights have now become the center of attention in practice of medicine. Today, concerns about patients’ choice and the respect for their preferences, values and the access to medical care are getting more complex. The patients’ expectations are becoming higher and now they always want everything best (Rafique & Bhatti, 2014). Nurses are subject to numerous ethical and legal duties in their professional role, including the imperative to maintain patients’ privacy and confidentiality. Beginning in 1893, nurses take the Nightingale Pledge “I promise to do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling” (Gretter, 2012). The duty continues today, with hospital policies, state regulations, and federal law aimed at protecting patients’ confidentiality. Critical care providers are often privy to confidential information in the course of clinical practice. The dilemma may arise when confidential information is requested by family members or friends of the patient. Although at times it seems that regulations and laws are so stringent that any disclosure of health care information is forbidden, it may be necessary...
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...16, 2013 Rosalina Nava-Bermudez There are a plethora of issues concerning patient privacy, confidentiality, and HIPAA. Unfortunately, these are issues that have arisen more recently; patient privacy and confidentiality wasn’t a largely disputed issue before the introduction and increase of health information technology implementation and usage. According to the Center for Democracy and Technology, “Health information technology has tremendous potential to improve health care quality and reduce costs while empowering patients to play a greater role in the management of their own care. At the same time, however, electronic storage and exchange of personal health information poses risks to privacy. Unaddressed, privacy concerns can stand in the way of realizing the benefits of health IT, for neither patients nor providers will make full use of a system they do not trust.” One has no choice but to take the two into consideration: do the speed, accuracy, and reduced cost of health information technology outweigh the potential privacy concerns? As stated in a brief article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “The combination of these technologies will improve the quality of health care by making it more personalized and reducing costs and medical errors. While there are benefits to technologies, associated privacy and security issues need to be analyzed to make these systems socially acceptable.” While these may not be considered...
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...Administrative Ethics Paper Kelly N McCoy HCS/335 May 19, 2014 Melissa Green, MHA Administrative Ethics Paper Safeguarding patient privacy has been a serious problem even with current technology. Not only are “regular” patients at risk; celebrities and politicians are at a greater risk related to the current culture of social media, reality television, and the “need to know” attitude of today’s society. In the past ten years, serious issues with breeches in celebrity and politicians privacy and confidentiality have risen. For example, in 2013, the reality star Kim Kardashian’s and rapper Kayne West’s medical records were inappropriately accessed between June 18th and June 24th, after giving birth to a baby girl at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Associated Press, 2013). In order to ensure and safeguard patient privacy and confidentiality, issues related to breaching patient privacy must be addressed. This paper will address the following: 1. Background information in relation to the breach of Kim Kardashian and Kayne West’s privacy. 2. Arguments or specifics used in the article to support the proposed solution. 3. Ethical and legal issues. 4. Managerial responsibilities related to administrative, ethical issues. 4. Solutions to reduce and prevent breaches in patient privacy. Last year, reality star Kim Kardashian and Kayne West’s medical records were wrongly and unauthorized accessed by five employees of Cedar-Sinai Medial Center after the birth of their daughter (Associated...
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...ad Administrative Ethics HCS/335 Health Care Ethics and Social Responsibility February 22, 2015 William Bross Administrative Ethics When it comes to administrative ethics in the health care field, this is where ethics issues are being dealt with on a constant basis. The hard part is of keeping the ethical line between what is right and legal is not an easy thing to figure out. In this article, it talks about patients' confidentiality, and in this article it is about critical care providers are often privy to confidential information in the course of the clinic. The dilemma can arise when confidential information is requested by family members or friends of the patient. The Critical care nurses must be aware of the regulations regarding confidentiality, as well as situations where the use and disclosure of protected health information are permitted. (Critical Care Nurse.2012;32[5]:61-65) This is where the critical care nurses must take the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws on how important they are in the health care field, and to make sure that use the line between what is right with the confidentiality for their patients. When it comes to the health care field there are privacy and confidentiality that needs to be enforced to the areas where it comes patient privacy and confidentiality. However, in this paper the legal and ethical issues that arise from both sides, when each party is bound by separate laws, as well as what happens...
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...which employees are requested to follow. This includes the professional conduct required of health professionals in the use of social media in the workplace. According to Brent (2011), "Social networking is the main source of communicating in today's society" (para. 1). Mobile communications, E-mail, Texting, and the use of Facebook and Twitter has set record breaking rates above any other form of communications in recent years (Badzek, 1998). Social networking empowers both the consumer and the health care provider. The use of the Internet plays an important role in finding health information, which allow the patient to become better informed concerning personal health, and more educated in decision-making. Health care providers also benefit by conducting real-time meetings online to discuss the most challenging cases, and to devise solutions to improve therapeutic regimens of patients. Health care providers are driven by professional connections and timely communications with patients, families, and other health care providers. Social networking is the media by which health care providers use for a range of professional purposes, primarily to educate patients or to foster provider-patient relationships, which is impressive. Although social networking has tremendous benefits to the consumer and provider, it comes with strong concerns, and confidentiality, and patient privacy issues top the list (Modahl, 2011). In recent...
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...pursuing a career in allied health (PTA), we should be aware of many things such as confidentiality, privacy and security pertaining to patient information. Not only is it against the law to link information of a patient outside the workplace, but there is a slang term called “HIPPA” (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). HIPPA was put into play in 1996 for healthcare fields and facilities. This act allows patients personal healthcare information to be protected from being used or shared with anyone unless the patient writes a hand consent saying otherwise. Each patient’s healthcare information is kept in medical records, billing records, and health insurance computer systems. Patient’s information must always be protected....
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...Nurses The Code of Ethics was designed as a measuring stick for healthcare workers to compare their actions against. “The Code of Ethics also incorporates standards of ethical behavior governing individual behavior, particularly when that conduct directly relates to the role and identity of the healthcare executive.” (A.C.H.E., 2012). Today’s health care system and its professionals are receiving ever-growing pressure to make practical effort to ensure that the quality of patient care available is provided. “The fundamental objectives of the healthcare management profession are to maintain or enhance the overall quality of life, dignity and well-being of every individual needing healthcare service and to create a more equitable, accessible, effective and efficient healthcare system.” (A.C.H.E). There are many laws that have been implemented in today’s world to ensure that this is accomplished. “They are designed to prevent harm to others while protecting the rights of individuals.” (Pogzar, 2012, pg.196). Although in general most apply and affect everyone in our society, some affect those in the health care professions more. The Code of Ethics helps to keep personal feelings from entering into medical advise by the medical professional. Common ethics in a clinical setting are well known such negligence. Nurses are responsible for any negligence. “It is the unintentional commission or omission of an act that a reasonably prudent person would or would not...
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...other types of health conditions because HIV is often transmitted through sexual activity or IV drug use, sharing of a needle. A diagnosis like HIV or AIDS implies some socially taboo behavior for some individuals. Also, AIDS was initially thought to be a disease unique to gay males and that stigma has stuck throughout the years. We now know that women and children of all ages, sexual orientations and races can also be the victims of HIV and AIDS. HIPAA demands privacy regarding a patient's personal information. That includes diagnose as well as information regarding sexuality and history of drug use. This applies to all diagnoses, but because of the social stigmas mentioned earlier, people are even more sensitive when it comes to HIV/AIDS disclosures. Inappropriately disclosing information can create family and social stress, employment issues and even housing issues. Discussing, diagnosing, and treating HIV/AIDS is a sensitive, private issue between a patient and his or her provider. This privacy is especially important, because any breach of privacy may result in stigmatization or discrimination against HIV/AIDS patients. Patients who are concerned that their health information will not be held private or secure may be discouraged from being tested for HIV and may be dissuaded from pursuing or adhering to recommended treatment regimens. The need for privacy and security must be carefully balanced with the appropriate sharing of patient information. Health IT poses risks...
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...University of Phoenix Ethics: Health Care and Social Responsibility HCS 335 Deborah Laughon February 5, 2012 Administrative Ethics Abstract of Article: Administrative Ethics and Confidentiality/Privacy Issues This article presents a case study highlighting the conflict between an individual’s right to privacy and the rights of patients and staff to know when a professional standard has been breached. The process by which the administrator determines a course of action is reviewed in the context of workplace realities through an ethical analysis. The growth of information systems and the increased involvement of third parties in decision-making have created new issues regarding confidentiality and the release of sensitive information for health care personnel who are in a position of public trust. The issues facing nursing administrators are complex, and of particular concern are the conflicting demands of providing quality care with limited resources. The authors identify strategies to deal with the workplace issues that give rise to the potential for abuse as well as the strategies to support an impaired colleague who attempts to reenter the workforce (Badzek, Mitchell, Marra, & Bower, 1998). Introduction When asking the general public what health care ethics and health care privacy mean, most will relate that they are about protecting patients. Health care ethics and health care privacy do exist to protect patients and to ensure that care is delivered with moral and...
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...Phoenix Material Privacy and Security Worksheet Consider this week’s readings and class discussion about privacy and security rules and the storage of records. Write 50- to 100-word answers for each of the following questions based on your readings and class discussion. 1. What is the difference between privacy and security? There is often confusion about the difference between privacy, confidentiality and security. In the context of HIPAA, privacy determines who should have access, what constitutes the patient’s rights to confidentiality, and what constitutes inappropriate access to health records. Confidentiality establishes how the records (or the systems that hold those records) should be protected from inappropriate access. Security is the means by which you ensure privacy and confidentiality. 2. Identify standards established through the Privacy Rule to protect individuals’ health information. The Privacy Rule for the first time creates national standards to protect individuals' medical records and other personal health information. • It gives patients more control over their health information. • It sets boundaries on the use and release of health records. • It establishes appropriate safeguards that health care providers and others must achieve to protect the privacy of health information. • It holds violators accountable, with civil and criminal penalties that can be imposed if they violate patients' privacy rights. •...
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...Jennifer Sanchez MOD 160 Night Class M.B&C Chapter 2: Compliance, Privacy, Fraud, and Abuse in Insurance Billing 1. Define compliance. 2. Name the two provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that relate most to health care. 3. Explain the difference between Titles I insurance Reform and Title II Administrative Simplification. 4. Describe the Privacy Rule under HIPAA. 5. Define protected health information (PHI). 6. Identify the difference between disclosure and use of PHI. 7. Illustrate the difference between privileged and nonprivileged information. 8. Explain patient rights under HIPAA. 9. Explain responsibilities of the health care organization to protect patient rights under HIPAA. 10. State the guidelines for HIPAA privacy compliance. 11. List the three major categories of security safeguards under HIPAA. 12. Define the provisions of the HITECH Act. 13. List the civil and criminal penalties of noncompliance with HIPAA regulations. 14. Identify the difference between fraud and abuse. 15. Identify the Federal and State laws that regulate health care fraud and abuse. 16. List the various fraud and abuse audit programs 17. Describer the basic components of an effective compliance program. Compliance Defined * All regulations, recommendations, and expectations of regulating agencies must be met to be in compliance. * The professional elements...
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...Running Head: Confidence in Confidentiality Ashley Cox Confidence in Confidentiality HCS 335 October 3, 2011 An interesting article about medical confidentiality for patients strikes the attention of many more patients in the waiting room of Doctor Zains office. The article was in a column of the poplar waiting room magazine called, Counselor”. The magazine is said to be for the addiction type professionals. The article that seemed to get the most attention from patients is called “Confidence in Confidentiality. The article talks about the privacy act for patients which is known as HIPPA, confidentiality regulations, and also briefly talks about different types of patient confidentiality situation. Confidential information is a main concern among patients; it is their medical information which is at stake here in their minds, but is that all that is at stake? The confidentiality privacy act is known as HIPAA, which is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. This act was passed by congress to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to reduce costs and the administrative burdens of health care by improving efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system by standardizing the interchange of electronic data for specified administrative and financial transactions, To ensure...
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..."Does the EMR actually protect patient privacy and what are the regulatory ramifications in the US on EMR implementation?” Table of Contents: INTRODUCTION LITERATURE REVIEW ANALYSIS I. MEDICAL RECORDS THEN AND NOW A. Paper-Based Medical Records VS. Electronic Medical Records B. Benefits, Potential Problems and Cost of the EMR II. HEALTH CARE PRIVACY LAW A. HIPAA 1.What is HIPAA? 2. HIPPA Privacy & Security B. HIPAA and EMR III. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO PROTECT PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY/ PRIVACY? A. Why Should Patient Privacy Be Afforded Privacy Protection Regulation? B. Patient Privacy Within EMR IV. SPANNING THE MILES Intranet & Extranet Software & IM/IT CONCLUSION GLOSSARY REFERENCES Introduction: Healthcare companies all over the world are slowly recognizing the benefits on an EMR. Although EMR’s were implemented over 30 years ago but as of 2006 fewer than 10% of hospitals were utilizing the system. In 2009 the he U.S. Department of Health and Human Services enacted a privacy rule under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in an attempt to protect the privacy of patients medical records. But one question still arises; “Does the EMR actually protect patient privacy and what are the regulatory ramifications in the US on EMR implementation?” In this paper I will address EMR, patient privacy and the regulatory ramifications of EMR implementation. Literature Review The literature shows that there is...
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...to provide care for the sick, injured and dying, they are always working within the boundaries of their professional codes of ethics. The nursing code of ethics is more than laws and common etiquette, and upholding the code of ethics is understood and agreed upon by people in the nursing profession. The two kinds of ethical theories discussed most in nursing are consequentialist and nonconsequentialist theories. By examining these two theories, nurses are able to evaluate the principle of confidentiality and how to apply the principle within reasonable limits. Further understanding of these normative theories gives nurses the abilities to evaluate conflict avoidance and resolution. As nurses further navigate the world of ethics, they discover how the code of ethics is influenced by a person’s culture, and they acquire a solid foundation for current ethical decision-making models used in their industry. Ethics in Nursing Practice, Values and Decision Making Nurses who take care of patients are encouraged to do so with a certain level of politeness. Other than being polite, nurses are required to be skilled, and they must follow the laws which govern them in their field of practice. Between all of the skills, politeness and laws are a nurse’s professional code of ethics. The code of ethics is generally understood and agreed upon by people in health care, and upholding these guiding principles is crucial to the successful delivery of nursing care. To operate...
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...The law does not give permission to the health care professionals to disclose the medical information of the patients. It is the right of a patient to have his or her personal identifiable information to be confidential. This medical information is suppose too only be available to the physician of record as well as other necessary health care and insurance personal. Confidentiality of patient was protected by federal statute, as of 2003. Passing of federal regulations which was the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 was facilitated by the requirement of having privacy as well as protection of personal records and data in an electronic medical records environment and third party insurance payers. The meaning of patient confidentiality is that personal and medical information that are provided to the providers of health care cannot be disclosed to others not unless the patient has provided authorization for the release. In fact permission is not supposed to be granted to health care professionals to disclose the patient’s medical information. This is because there could be professional or personal problems by disclosing the medical information of the patients for patients depends on the physicians in keeping private their medical information, American Psychological Association (2003). Normally it becomes difficult for medical records to be completely sealed up. The greatest factor that affects confidentiality is when clinicians turn to share medical information...
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