NURS 8210 Week 5 Nursing and Health Care Informatics Ethics and the Law

The use of health information technologies is associated with a number of ethical issues. The selected ethical issue for this discussion question relates to the loss of data privacy and confidentiality. Health organizations have the obligations to ensure that the privacy and confidentiality of the patient data is maintained. The data should not be accessed by unauthorized parties. The identifiable data of the patients should also be safeguarded. Health organizations achieve data integrity by adopting effective health information systems that have enhanced system integrity (Karasneh et al., 2019). However, the stored data may be access by unauthorized parties through methods such as hacking, which threatens the confidentiality and privacy of the patient data.

The loss of data privacy and confidentiality is associated with a number of liabilities. Firstly, health organizations and providers are liable to lawsuits should the privacy and confidentiality of data be violated. Patients have the right to sue healthcare organizations and providers for their role in contributing to the loss of their private and confidential data. In most cases, the affected patients receive financial reimbursement for the harm caused by t

NURS 8210 Week 5 Nursing and Health Care Informatics Ethics and the Law

he loss of data privacy and confidentiality. The other implication is the loss of trust by patients towards the institution or healthcare providers (Petersen et al., 2018). Through it, the performance of the institution is affected.

One of the strategies that the organization could implement to ensure privacy and confidentiality of data is securing access to patient data. The access to data can be secured using mechanisms such as firewalls and passwords that are authenticated via short messaging services to the users of the systems. The other strategy is training healthcare providers (Sahi et al., 2018). Training equips them with knowledge and skills on ways of achieving the desired integrity in data storage and use.

References

Karasneh, R. A., Al-Azzam, S. I., Alzoubi, K. H., Hawamdeh, S. S., & Muflih, S. M. (2019). Patient Data Sharing and Confidentiality Practices of Researchers in Jordan. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 12, 255–263. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S227759

Petersen, C., Berner, E. S., Embi, P. J., Fultz Hollis, K., Goodman, K. W., Koppel, R., Lehmann, C. U., Lehmann, H., Maulden, S. A., McGregor, K. A., Solomonides, A., Subbian, V., Terrazas, E., & Winkelstein, P. (2018). AMIA’s code of professional and ethical conduct 2018. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 25(11), 1579–1582. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocy092

Sahi, M. A., Abbas, H., Saleem, K., Yang, X., Derhab, A., Orgun, M. A., Iqbal, W., Rashid, I., & Yaseen, A. (2018). Privacy Preservation in e-Healthcare Environments: State of the Art and Future Directions. IEEE Access, 6, 464–478. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2017.2767561

Health information technology is continually changing and evolving. A common trend within healthcare is the movement towards implementing an electronic health record (EHR) (Koontz, 2015). An EHR is a platform which will encompass patient records electronically, however, this creates conflict among various ethical principles (Layman, 2008). With the implementation of an EHR, resides the requirements to ensure that privacy of patient records and information is maintained. To provide further context, in a discussion with a practitioner, it is assumed the highest degree of confidentiality is maintained. However, once this information is placed into an EHR, it is questionable whether boundaries are dissolved as information and charts are accessible by other practitioners (Croll, 2010).

The American Medical Informatics Association provides a code of ethics for practitioners to ensure ethical conduct (Peterson et al., 2018). The code references the use of health information technology and includes the expectations of members. Potential liabilities can be identified in multiple principles. Members are accountable to report issues regarding patient information and systems that could lead to a breech in privacy. This requires the nurse to be responsible for one’s own actions and to be knowledgeable regarding information technology (IT) and reporting processes. Furthermore, a nurse is responsible to ensure they are protecting patient health information. This refers to accessing, storage, and oral communication of patient data. Finally, nurses are responsible to understand given technology and should note limitations and access resources as needed.

To improve the above-mentioned potential liabilities, the education of staff should be considered. Staff should be aware of reporting procedures and be knowledgeable regarding how to access IT if needed. Education should also be provided regarding organizational policies and procedures that refer to privacy standards (Croll, 2010). Staff should understand their requirements when accessing patient charts that include confidential healthcare information. Information technology departments should complete random audits that provides data regarding personnel who are accessing charts. Staff should be aware that they are only to access information for those patients who are within their circle of care (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2019). Finally, it is beneficial to have trained super-users who have a good grasp of the EHR system so that they can support those who do not.

References

College of Nurses of Ontario. (2019). Practice Standard: Confidentiality and Privacy – Personal

Health Information. Retrieved from

https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41069_privacy.pdf

Croll, P. (2010). Privacy, security and access with sensitive health information. Studies in Health

Technology and Informatics, 151, 167-175.

Layman, E. (2008). Ethical Issues and the Electronic Health Record. Health Care Manager, 27,

165-176. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.HCM.0000285044.19666.a8

Koontz, L. (2015). Health information privacy in a changing landscape. Journal of American

Society on Aging, 39 (1), 97-104.

Peterson, C., Berner, E., Embi, P., Hollis, K, Goodman, K., Koppel, R., Lehmann, C., Lehmann,

H., Maulden, S., McGregor, K., Solomonides, A., Subbian, V., Terrazas, E., &

Winkelstein, P.  AMIA’s code of professional and ethical conduct 2018, Journal of the

American Medical Informatics Association, 25 (11), 1579–

1582, https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocy092

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I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course!

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Important information on Writing a Discussion Question

• Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references)
• There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article.
• Include in-text citations in your response
• Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information
• Follow APA-7th edition
• Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor

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