Electronic Health Records Essay
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) increase ethical issues in security and protecting the privacy rights of patients.
Thesis
Even though the majority of people feel electronic health care records (EHRs) would improve healthcare quality, I believe it brings about additional ethic issues in the privacy and security of patients records. The unlimited access, speed, and efficiency of electronic health information systems are currently making society confront new broader terms of rights and responsibility. The prevalent issues involving electronic health information systems include control of information and access to systems, privacy, and misuse of data.
Introduction
New technologies have developed new ways to gather, store, manipulate, and communicate …show more content…
The Health Records Act 2001 outlines the protection of the privacy of individuals' health information ("Health Records Act", 2017). It standardizes the collection and handling of patient health information. Although there are exceptions, the universal rule is that a health care provider must obtain the individual's consent prior to using or disclosing protected health information to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations (U.S. Dept. of HHS OPE 2000, 82810, §164.506[a]).
Privacy
2. What information is protected, and what safeguards must be in place to ensure appropriate protection of electronic protected health information? The Security Rule applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and to any healthcare provider who transmits health information in electronic form in connection with a transaction for which the Secretary of HHS has adopted standards under HIPAA (the “covered entities”) and to their business associates ("Summary of the HIPAA Security Rule", 2017). The security rule has forced many health care establishments to take a serious look at how electronic protected health information is secured.
Misuse of data
3. What policy protects against misuse of the
Thesis
Even though the majority of people feel electronic health care records (EHRs) would improve healthcare quality, I believe it brings about additional ethic issues in the privacy and security of patients records. The unlimited access, speed, and efficiency of electronic health information systems are currently making society confront new broader terms of rights and responsibility. The prevalent issues involving electronic health information systems include control of information and access to systems, privacy, and misuse of data.
Introduction
New technologies have developed new ways to gather, store, manipulate, and communicate …show more content…
The Health Records Act 2001 outlines the protection of the privacy of individuals' health information ("Health Records Act", 2017). It standardizes the collection and handling of patient health information. Although there are exceptions, the universal rule is that a health care provider must obtain the individual's consent prior to using or disclosing protected health information to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations (U.S. Dept. of HHS OPE 2000, 82810, §164.506[a]).
Privacy
2. What information is protected, and what safeguards must be in place to ensure appropriate protection of electronic protected health information? The Security Rule applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses, and to any healthcare provider who transmits health information in electronic form in connection with a transaction for which the Secretary of HHS has adopted standards under HIPAA (the “covered entities”) and to their business associates ("Summary of the HIPAA Security Rule", 2017). The security rule has forced many health care establishments to take a serious look at how electronic protected health information is secured.
Misuse of data
3. What policy protects against misuse of the