Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice - 1
Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice
Missy Lewis
Grand Canyon University
Ethical Decision Making in Healthcare
NRS-437V
Kristine Roberts
June 23, 2013
Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice
Can you keep a secret? That question could quite possibly contain the most intriguing words uttered between two people! When spoken, they ignite a flame of curiosity within the hearer that will not be extinguished until the sacred secret is whispered. An explicit trust is expected with such a disclosure; a trust that, when broken, can destroy a relationship. When that “secret,” or confidence, is exchanged between a patient and healthcare provider, however, a whole new level of discretion is required. This paper will explore the meaning of confidentiality in the healthcare setting, define the meaning of a breach of that confidentiality, and determine when it is ethical for a healthcare provider to break a patient’s confidence.
Simply put, “confidentiality is the practice of keeping harmful, shameful, or embarrassing patient information within proper bounds” (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011, p. 206). When a patient discloses personal information, he or she seldom feels compelled to remind the healthcare provider of the confidentiality of the issue. There is typically an innate sense of trust that is understood by the patient. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), implemented in 1996, provides protection for patients regarding their private health information. This rule also makes provisions for disclosure among healthcare providers, allowing that information to be shared among these entities for the purpose of providing patient care and other such vital purposes (HHS, n.d.). What happens, though, when the confidential information a patient shares cannot ethically remain confidential? An ethical dilemma is born.
The term ethical dilemma refers to a situation in which there are two morally correct paths to take, but to follow one
Missy Lewis
Grand Canyon University
Ethical Decision Making in Healthcare
NRS-437V
Kristine Roberts
June 23, 2013
Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice
Can you keep a secret? That question could quite possibly contain the most intriguing words uttered between two people! When spoken, they ignite a flame of curiosity within the hearer that will not be extinguished until the sacred secret is whispered. An explicit trust is expected with such a disclosure; a trust that, when broken, can destroy a relationship. When that “secret,” or confidence, is exchanged between a patient and healthcare provider, however, a whole new level of discretion is required. This paper will explore the meaning of confidentiality in the healthcare setting, define the meaning of a breach of that confidentiality, and determine when it is ethical for a healthcare provider to break a patient’s confidence.
Simply put, “confidentiality is the practice of keeping harmful, shameful, or embarrassing patient information within proper bounds” (Purtilo & Doherty, 2011, p. 206). When a patient discloses personal information, he or she seldom feels compelled to remind the healthcare provider of the confidentiality of the issue. There is typically an innate sense of trust that is understood by the patient. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), implemented in 1996, provides protection for patients regarding their private health information. This rule also makes provisions for disclosure among healthcare providers, allowing that information to be shared among these entities for the purpose of providing patient care and other such vital purposes (HHS, n.d.). What happens, though, when the confidential information a patient shares cannot ethically remain confidential? An ethical dilemma is born.
The term ethical dilemma refers to a situation in which there are two morally correct paths to take, but to follow one
References: American Nurses Association (2001). Code of ethics for nurses: Provision 3.2. Retrieved from: http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/EthicsStandards/Codeof EthicsforNurses/Code-of-Ethics.pdf. GCU NRS-437V Lecture 3 (2011). Ethical decision making. Retrieved from: https://lc-ugrad1.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/user/users.html?operation=loggedIn - /learningPlatform/loudBooks/loudbooks.html?viewPage=current&operation=innerPage&currentTopicname=Ethical Decision Making&topicMaterialId=875a116e-998a-48aa-8d33-31ca3336f88c. Purtilo, R., & Doherty, R. (2011). Ethical dimensions in health dimensions (5th ed.). [Elsevier Pageburst]. Retrieved from http://pageburstls.elsevier.com/books/978-1-4377-0896-7/Root/0. Nathanson, P. G. (2000). Bioethics on NBC’s ER: Betraying Trust or Providing Good Care? When is it okay to break confidentiality? Retrieved from http://web.archive.org/web/20110706061843/http://www.bioethics.net/articles.php?viewCat=7&articleId=133. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (n.d.). Health information privacy. Retrieved from: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy.