Furthermore, the severity of securing health information is essential and it impacts the Health Information Management professional and if there is a breach of privacy, the contributions a HIM professional makes in response to these challenges is significantly important in the maintenance and security of health information. According to Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information Management, it is emphasized that security of health information is the protection of the confidentiality, privacy and security of health information. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “the number of hospital inpatient care and outpatient department care discharges exceeds 100.7 million” (CDC). That is over 100.7 million documents of private data a Health Information Management professional is held accountable for. The failure to preserve such data can result in breach of the HIPAA Privacy Rule pertaining to PHI.
According to the ANA code of ethics, the RN’s primary commitment is to the patient and to protect the health, safety, and rights of the patient. The RN also collaborates with other health care members to meet the needs of the patient. “The nurse plays a central role in creating an environment of mutual trust and respect among all health care professionals by engaging in an open dialogue and claiming a place in the shared decision making about patient care.” (Lachman, 2009). Therefore, it is important to consider the physician’s belief system, as there are a number of medical professionals who “…refuse to deliver care that runs contrary to their moral or religious beliefs, asserting a ‘right of conscience’ or ‘right of refusal’.” (Stein, 2007). In the second case study regarding the malpractice and negligence of a nurse, the primary obligation according to the ANA code of ethics is to the patient.
Informed consent could be implied, explicit, verbal or written. This is to protect health care professionals as a failure to obtain a patients consent to healthcare may result in criminal charges of assault or civil action for battery, in addition to this failure to disclose material risks to patients may give rise for ones action for negligence. “Patient centred care is widely recognised as a core dimension of a quality modern health services” (QLD health informed consent guide 2014). Informed decision making about benefits, risks and alternatives of treatment, taking into account each patients personal circumstances, beliefs and priorities is vital for a truly patient centred care. A well informed patient can have an active involvement in their decision making in regards to health care and treatment, allowing them to have realistic expectations about the likely or potential outcomes of the treatment and an additional protection against errors or adverse events.
Ethical Analysis of Nursing Care Caring for patients requires a holistic approach that identifies a not only a patient’s physical needs but their psychological, cultural and spiritual needs as well. Each patient must be viewed as an individual with unique needs and different levels of caring. It is important to understand that humans development cannot thrive without caring and a patient who is not at an optimal level of wellness is especially vulnerable to emotional comfort in this time of need. Lachman (2012) breaks down what is necessary for the highest level of care to be given and received. Elements of Caring According to Watson’s theory of caring there are three different elements that a nurse must recognize to provide such care.
Healthcare Ethics Case Study Abstract Today’s healthcare professionals are immersed in an ever-changing environment. The advent of managed care, a variety of medical practice arrangements, and a multitude of healthcare specialty areas have resulted in the continual need to understand health care law. Health care workers are faced with tough decisions that require ethical considerations. The case of Jerry McCall, an Office Assistant that received professional training as both medical assistant and a licensed practical nurse (LPN), is an example of a situation that caused a dilemma. Jerry was accused of a medical malpractice because of prescribing a refill without the authorization of a physician.
This is one department where teamwork is essential and a lack of leadership amongst co-workers can lead to ineffective care (36). It is important to have communication and training because patient’s conditions are more serious and can change quickly. Because the conditions of a patient are more serious, any health care provider on that unit needs to know who to call or what therapies to use/change to improve a patient’s condition. 2) Medical Teams in the Emergency Department: Providers in this department include Nurses, Respiratory therapists, and physicians. Physician assistants, X-ray technicians and lab technicians may also be called to the department.
In health care ethical decisions not only affect the practice but the patients as well. Effect ACHE Standards on Ethical Decision Making The ethical decision standards of the ACHE need to be tough, this is necessary as these standards involve the entire health care network. The ACHE’s Ethics Toolkit provides the user with the assistance needed to influence values and strong ethics; it also helps develop additional ethical guidelines and insight into the appropriate ethical approach when needed. The American College of Health Care Executives expects health care professionals to adhere to a number of
Why would an ethical code give patient/family members confidence in an organization? The healthcare profession is represented by every professional within the industry when in contact with a patient or family member. As professionals, we play a vital role within the community and have an ethical obligation to ensure confidentiality, quality of care and people skills. When a family or patient are treated unfairly or are given the feeling that the healthcare professionals are not representing them with dignity and respect these interactions can breach the confidence. Therefore, if the ethical code is followed by healthcare professionals, patient and/or family members can develop confidence in their standard of care.
Patient Confidentiality: When Should It Be Compromised? Patient confidentiality is a person’s right to have their personal information kept private. Any medical data gathered from a patient should not be disclosed to anybody else without the patient’s permission. Confidentiality is a crucial part of the doctor-patient relationship. It is very important that a patient trust their doctor.
Enhancing patient safety also contributes to the overall success of the healthcare facility (Potter & Perry, 2013, p.370). Patient safety is a sensitive topic that I feel that must be discussed and addressed very often. The purpose of this paper is providing awareness to patient safety, and how medical errors and lack of safety can compensate patient safety. Review of Literature Patient safety is a growing concern