...Mr. Hendricks has been a principal at Grover Cleveland High School for the past five (5) years. During his tenure, he has created a work environment that has met with great success in all aspects relating to academic achievement and school climate, incorporating a style of management that is personal. As a result, the staff worked very hard for him. Jim Austin, head of the schools physical education department requested a confidential meeting with his principal Mr. Hendricks. Mr. Hedricks and Mr. Austin had become good friends over the years, often jogging early in the morning prior to coming to work. During the meeting, Mr. Austin disclosed that he had contracted AIDS and that he wanted to keep his health challenges a secret for as long as possible while maintaining his employment with the school. Clearly, Mr. Hendricks was in conflict regarding this dilemma. Does he comply with his friends wishes and conceal the illness from his respective stakeholders, staff and/or superiors, or does he communicate in complete earnest with Mr. Austin and communicate to him that, regardless of their personal relationship, as the instructional leader of the school he may be prohibited from concealing Mr. Austin’s disease, as it potentially risks the overall health, safety and well-being of each and every student in the school? Mr. Hendricks has a very serious dilemma to consider. As a principal, fostering personal relationships with his staff at the school has proven to be highly beneficial...
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...in Practice Patient confidentiality is part of the Nursing Code of Ethics and it is a nurses’ duty to uphold confidentiality of patient information (American Nurses Association, 2012). However, there are certain situations in which a confidentiality breach is acceptable, such as when a patient voices harm to themselves or others and certain sexually transmitted diseases STDs). The following is a breakdown of the ethical implications of a breach of confidentiality, the ethical theory, the alternatives to breaching confidentiality using the framework of ethical decision making and the role of the ethics committees. Ethical Implications of a Breach of Confidentiality A confidentiality breach is when patient information is disclosed to a party that is not a direct part of the patients’ healthcare team without obtaining the appropriate patient consent (American Medical Association, 2012). It is important for the nurse to maintain confidentiality to gain the patients trust, except in situations that are required by law to be reported. When confidentiality is breached many ethical implications arise. Some of these implications are losing a patients’ trust and disclosing information to parties that is not required by law, which could cause harm to the patient. In the article “Bioethics on NBC’s ER: Betraying Trust or Providing Good Care? When is it OK to Break Confidentiality?” the nurse did the right thing by breaking patient confidentiality in revealing to the parents...
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... Confidentiality help professionals gain assurance and without the clients permission it would not allow clients to feel safe and trust counselors. Confidentiality gives the clients a great opportunity to tell their stories freely with them disclosing their feelings, fears, thoughts, memories, and desires (Remley & Herlihy, 2014). There are four premises that confidentiality is based on such as; respect for autonomy, respect, pledge of silence, and utility. Each premise very important in counseling with the counselors keeping the clients promises in confidence. Discovery The ACA Code of Ethic explains the ethical standards to be in Section B: Confidentiality, Priviledged Communication, and Privacy to emphasize on the right to the clients privacy and have the exceptions and limitations to be addressed (Remley & Herlihy, 2014). They are addressed because the confidentiality maybe mandated by legal as well as the ethical considerations that are applied. The standards are very carefully written to minimize all the conflicts between the law and ethics (Remley & Herlihy, 2014). Its confidentiality and limits of discovery is demanded by the legal system to oppose sided in a court case towards evidence before the trial takes place. Although confidentiality is not absolute, the counselor will continue to guarantee the kept information for clients unless it is determined to be disclosing in court (Remley & Herlihy, 2014). ACA Code of Ethics Since...
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...relationship is established and the promise of confidentiality is incriminated automatically. Respecting confidentiality is the professional commitment. Yet occasionally unavoidable situations bring health care profession to face nothing but the alternative choices which ends up breaching the confidentiality. The author would like to discuss one’s professional position regarding the ethical implications of a breach of confidentiality, ethical theories and principles, identify alternatives, and ethics committee’s approach in resolving ethical dilemma. Ethical Implications of a Breach of Confidentiality The medical profession has an obligation to live up to the patient's expectations of privacy and to earn the trust. By breaching confidentiality, patients no longer disclose honest and full information to medical professionals, or even initiate avoidance of seeking future care. Without trusting medical professionals, it is hard to expect for patients to reveal private and intimate nature of the information which could be vital in treatment decision. It means breaching confidentiality not only denies individual privacy but also prevents the autonomy of patient (Nathanson, 2000). Who would volunteer the info when he or she sees it is against to self by revealing them? Confidentiality violations could be potentially disastrous. Nonetheless, there are certain occasions as an exception in which it may be necessary to breach confidentiality without patients’ consent and act against...
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...Term Papers and Free EssaysBrowse Essays Read full version essay Aca Ethics Aca Ethics Print version essay is available for you! You can search Free Term Papers and College Essay Examples written by students!. Join Essays24.com and get instant access to Aca Ethics and over 30,000 other Papers and Essays Category: Psychology Autor: anton 15 November 2010 Words: 1489 | Pages: 6 Running head: Ethics Paper ACA Code of Ethics and AACC Code of Ethics; what are the Similarities and Differences? Abstract The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA Code) and the American Association of Christian Counselors Code of Ethics (AACC Code) has many similarities as well as differences. Codes of ethics are designed to protect the client, counselor and the profession. This report will compare and contrast three separate areas within each of the two ethics codes. All areas of the ethics codes are important; however the three that have been chosen are of particular interest to the writer. Two of the areas that are addressed, confidentiality and sexual intimacies, come from duties to the client and the last area, reporting colleagues, comes from duties to the profession. ACA CODE OF ETHICS AND AACC CODE OF ETHICS, WHAT ARE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES? In the field of counseling, either secular counseling or Christian counseling ethics play a large and vital role. The ACA Code serves five main purposes. The five purposes...
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...Ethics, Informed Consent, and Enforceable Standards William Neelsen Ethics, Informed Consent, and Enforceable Standards The clinician has high ethical standards as well as legal regulations to obtain the proper and legal consent to treat individuals in the field of psychology. Without bias to the methodology (research, experimentation, testing, or therapy), the psychologist is obligated by law, and the APA Code of Ethics to have consent to treat. The consent is in place for many reasons. The foremost is to inform the patient of the treatment plan to be undertaken, how the psychologist/clinician will administer care, and the prognosis of such treatments hopes to achieve (May, 2004). However, consent also places legal backing to the treatment given to the patient, recording necessary information such as possible diagnosis, personal and confidential information given by the patient, and a record of treatment versus effect. Informed consent creates a level and understood beginning to the treatment process, by which the patient and clinician are understood to the process of therapeutic services, or psychological testing and research that is to take place. The APA Code of Ethics is in place for the psychologist to have rigid and enforceable standards of not only how to effectively treat individuals in the therapy setting, but also of how to protect the confidential and highly sensitive nature of psycho-therapy. The psychologist in the clinical setting is observing and offering...
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...Ethics in Counseling Abigail T. Kitts Liberty University Abstract Introduction Ethics in therapy is currently a hot topic in the counseling realm. Especially ethics as they relate to group therapy. Group therapy is a common form of therapy utilized by many counselors. This type of therapy encompasses an entirely different set of ethics than that of individual counseling. There are numerous reasons for why a counselor may elect to use group therapy rather than individual therapy. The American Counseling Association (ACA) has developed a code of ethics for the counseling professional in order to provided a universal guideline for all counselor to abide by. Within the code of ethics provided by the ACA are codes that cover areas of the counseling relationship, confidentiality and privacy, professional responsibility, relationships with other professionals, evaluation, assessment, and interpretation, supervision, training, and teaching, research and publication, distance counseling, technology, and social media. All of these areas are further divided into subcategories in order to include all aspects ethics in the counseling relationship. Each of these sections provided by the ACA are important to a counselor practicing in a group setting, however, not all of these areas are applicable to the group counselor. Ethical Issues Unique to Group Therapy Group counseling offers many relationships, in order to assist an individual in growth and problem-solving...
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...Running head: PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY Patient Confidentiality: Ethical Implications to Nursing Practice Grand Canyon University: NRS 437 April 3, 2012 Patient Confidentiality: Ethical Implications to Nursing Practice Patient confidentiality is a fundamental practice in healthcare and it is integral part of healthcare ethical standards (Purtilo & Dougherty, 2010). According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) code of ethics “the nurse has a duty to maintain confidentiality of all patient information”(Nursingworld, p.6). When confidentiality is breached the nurse may jeopardize the wellbeing and safety of a patient. There are some exceptions to this duty such as a greater need to protect the patient and other parties or mandatory laws that protect public health (Nursingworld, 2012). The situation presented in the article Betraying Trust or Providing Good Care? When is it okay to break confidentiality? Creates an ethical dilemma for the fictional nurse caring for a teenage patient diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease as well as related cervical cancer. The nurse eventually notifies parents because of the need for further treatment that will require consent of parents. She also notifies the teenage patient’s school because of a concern for public health. Several valid concerns are presented in this article. First, when a patient’s confidentiality is betrayed that patient may not give full information to the healthcare team in the future...
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...Ethics in Nursing Practice, Values and Decision Making Name Name of College Abstract Nurses work with a wide range of patients, and each patient presents their own economic, social and cultural differences. While nurses work 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...
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...Care providers strive to provide care that is patient focused that maintains confidentiality and respect. This paper is about the maintenance of patient confidentiality and the trusting relationships that must be maintained between the patient and the healthcare providers. Ethical Implications of Breaching Confidentiality Patients seek care and treatment in hopes of receiving confidential, unbiased, honest, and respectful treatment. They also expect that care providers maintain their personal values and beliefs related to their care. As healthcare providers, everyone has the responsibility to uphold the confidentiality of patients. Patient confidentiality includes information about the patient that is collected based upon what the patient reports and what the physician enters in the medical record. In a situation where confidentiality has been breached, serious implications can arise. A breach in confidentiality can result in a failure to respect patient's autonomy and poses a form of betrayal (Ministry of Ethics, 2012). The betrayal that can result in legal implications such a HIPPA violations but an even greater ramification can be the distrust of the patient and family in the caregiver and the healthcare system. Patients may also question the care provider's true intentions including values and morals. They may also question if the patient is truly the center of care. Breach of confidentiality can result in a non-trusting relationship where the patients overall medical...
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...confidential until the announcement. Once the announcement is made, Owen’s house will lose value and Owen might lose the offer he has on the house. 2. Issue Luke, like most people, has multiple sets of obligations to different parties. ABC Company expects Luke to maintain the confidentiality of the project. However, Owen is Luke’s brother and Luke most likely wants the best for him. Luke must decide whether to maintain loyalty to ABC Company or inform Owen of the upcoming events to save him money. 3. Analysis 4.1 Universal Ethics This concept suggests that any action taken should be able to be applied as a universal law, subject to repetition by any and all. If Luke breaches confidentiality and informs his brother Owen of the planned construction then, under universal ethics, anyone could breach confidentiality in favor of other obligations. Obviously, this would not be acceptable and would lead to a chaotic outcome. However, Luke must consider whether it is acceptable to always maintain allegiance to contract over yourself. Luke has the desire to tell his brother about the upcoming project, but reason ties him to the company and his contract for confidentiality. A major...
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...Frameworks in Medical Practice Introduction Identified as two of the most vital qualities regarding professional ethics concerning nursing, confidentiality and trust compose the two essential components of any and all kinds of relationships between patients, colleagues and the general public for a nurse. This essay seeks to analyze the article entitled “Betraying trust or providing good care? When is it okay to break confidentiality?”, written by Nathanson (2000). This chosen article highlights the importance of confidentiality and the possible professional premises in which confidentiality is commonly brought to a breach by professionals. It delves into the ethically evident implications involved in a breach of confidentiality, how different ethical lenses propagated by different theories view the position of the nurse, and mentions some alternatives regarding the approach to problem solving. Implications of breach of confidentiality Mutual confidentiality between a patient and medical personnel finds its fulfillment when trust is gained between each other and the patient is assured that the personal matters regarding the lives of each remain within themselves. There is a severe break in confidentiality when any information regarding the patient is publicized without patient approval. It is not only unacceptable professionally, but is also so in regards to ethics, morality and legality. The results of such practice involves the patient not being transparent with medical personnel...
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...Administrative Ethics Paper Administrative Ethics Paper The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing has a current article named “Caring for Patients While Respecting Their Privacy: Renewing Our Commitment”. The basis of the article concerns the ethical and legal issues concerning the “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act” otherwise known as (HIPPA). This law has impacted the healthcare industry and the way in which healthcare workers conduct themselves with patients, their families, and with one another. In nursing the importance of confidentiality has always been the forefront of patient care. The current Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANA,2001) is clear in its intent and meaning as it relates to the nurses primary role in promoting and advocating patient’s rights relating to privacy and confidentiality. Every nurse has always understood the need for patient confidentiality even before (HIPPA) was law. Truth being with advanced technology, new demands in healthcare, and recent developments in the world at large has made it more difficult to keep this promise. But keep it they must. As healthcare workers on any given day we hear and see private and confidential information, it is our duty to protect it. On occasion we do become comfortable with patient’s medical information that it can be easy to forget that as healthcare workers how important it is to keep information secure and private. Thus, a recommended solution to this issue is to recap the -privacy section...
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...and restoration of health. Ethics is been an integral part of the foundation of nursing and it is self reflective, enduring and distinctive. In the professional course, a nurse encounters with different types of patients, several types of families and varied situations. Every patient has certain rights and a nurse has to respect them in both legal and ethical aspects. Confidentiality is important to create confidence between nurses and patients. Without promising privacy to their matters, patients will be hesitant to share important information to health care professionals which may be necessary for their care. Respecting patient’s confidentiality is a legal requirement and also a professional, ethical and legal duty. By law, breaching confidentiality may end in unlawful condemnation and punishments The moral consequence when breaking confidentiality is loss of client, loss of reputation, loss of revenue, and breaking of moral, lawful and moral obligations. A credulous bond between nurses and patients will improve patient satisfaction and will help patient to disclose even the most sensitive information which will help in their treatment and care. This will also improve adherence to medical management plans in almost all age groups and in all varied situations. Patients have the right to anticipate privacy of their medical records and all data and information related to their care and doctors and nurses have a legal obligation to break confidentiality when it is truly and ethically...
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...Administrative Ethics Heather Holcomb 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...
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