All information about patients is being kept safely stored in the office in different folders, and only staff who need to know the information have access. I personally have no access to personal information.…
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.…
As of today there are issues with the information technology systems, clinical data management systems and the increasing automation of the electronic medical records. All of these present a significant amount of patient privacy and confidentiality issues. When we say confidential, meaning in healthcare we are talking about the protection of a patient’s medical information and keeping their medical information private and safe from any third parties. Administrators are expected to follow the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The HIPAA protects the privacy of patient’s medical information. Patient’s medical records are sensitive personal information that is covered with privacy. There are several ethical…
Ways to maintain confidentiality in day to day communication are to keep all patient details and any information relating to them should not be in view of anyone and kept safe at all times. You should always not discuss any information with anyone other than legally involved, this sometime includes a family member.…
Nurses are entrusted with very private information from patients and along with this the patient expects and the law requires this to be kept confidential The patient gives this information assuming and trusting that the information will be kept private and only used for medical treatment. A breach of confidentiality comes in when the patients’ information has been disclosed to a third party that is not directly involved in the patients care or given without appropriate consent from the patient. (American Medical Association, 2013). Confidentiality should always be maintained except in cases that the law requires reporting or where more harm may come to the patient by respecting this commitment. Some ethical…
There is also the responsibility of the nurse 's employer to report the case. If there are witnesses the obligation to report is vital. First protecting and providing safe care to the patient takes top priority. Other actions to take may include informing the loved ones or family of the patient. The next step is to continue the reporting of the incident up the chain of command starting with the nurse 's direct supervisor all the way to a legislative organization. During the chain of reporting when a link is broken it is the original nurse 's responsibility to report to the legislative organization if warranted. The American Nurses Association Code of Nursing Ethics states that "as a nurse the obligation is to the patient because nurses strive to resolve conflicts in the ways that ensure patient 's safety, guard the patient 's best interest and preserve the professional integrity of the nurse"((American Nurses Association (ANA, 2001, p. 10).…
1.3 The general rule is that all information about an individual should not be disclosed or given to agencies, bodies or family without the consent of the person. Confidentiality is essential in health care to improve trust and working relationships between the service users and their carers. However, confidentiality can be broken if it is found to be in the interest of the person and the public.…
When dealing confidentiality in this day in time, information systems are becoming high tech and more effective within the health care field as well as an increased involvement of third parties who share the decision process have created some problems in reference to patient confidentiality and the ability to release private information to the appropriate individuals. Confidentiality has a major impact on the administration due to the fact that jobs are at stake when a patient’s privacy has been violated. The population that is affected the most by this is everyone within the administration, meaning the physician as well as the employees. The physician may not disclose any medical information revealed by a patient or discovered by a physician in connection with the treatment of the patient (American Medical Association, 1995-2013). This is important because when patients feel they can trust their physician, he or she can have a better chance being diagnosed appropriately and treated effectively. Without trust, the physician will receive partial information and it will make it difficult to treat…
2. E-Notes.com (2011). Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health. Patient Confidentiality. Retrieved June 10, 2011, from http://www.e-notes.com…
The thing to always remember is that a person health care is confidential and should not be shared with anyone except those who have a legitimate need to know for payment, treatment or health care operations. Do not discuss a patient health record in the hallway, elevator, break room or any place that is not appropriate to share PHI.…
If I were in this situation I would not report this person to her supervisor. Even if she did brake a code of ethics, I would approach her directly and discuss my concerns for the patient and or her friend. As her friend probably disclosed this information to her based on the fact she is a worker of the hospital and possibly in the medical field with direct patient care and discussing her case over lunch is probably not what the patient had in mind.…
2.2 if I had any concerns regarding handling information in which I need to seek advise because I was unsure about anything then I would speak to the nurse in charge or my manager and get their feedback on what was best to do being careful myself to not go in to too much detail which can be classed as braking confidentiality.…
Confidentiality is very important in health and social care, because it's private information, no patient wants their records on show for everyone to see.…
In accordance to The Code (NMC, 2008) which dictates that all patient information should be kept confidential, and the Data protection Act (1998) which also governs that patient information should be kept secure and released to only those necessary or to who the patient shares it with; All patient details will be kept private and the patient is referred to only as the patient.…
Among the many administrative responsibilities that a medical assistant has, patient confidentiality is one of the most crucial aspects of working in a hospital or clinic. In the scenario presented for this assignment, an employee sees a fellow assistant looking at the medical record of a patient who has recently been on the news for accused child abuse. Upon inquiry, the assistant claims that they must have opened the wrong file – their hesitant reaction to being questioned is an indication of disingenuous behaviour and needs to be addressed immediately. In a situation, such as the one presented, the employee in question should be given an opportunity to explain themselves before going to a higher authority, as it could be a genuine mistake,…