*At least one scholarly references
*APA 7 formatting for references
* No title page necessary
Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.
Assume that you are the manager in your chosen healthcare facility in the medical records department. Your boss has asked you to assist him in preparing a talk to the other department employees on the most important ethical issues they might face in working in medical records.
- Identify two of the biggest ethical issues that medical records employees may face, and discuss why these issues are so important to be aware of.
- Be sure to provide a properly referenced rationale for your choices.
Ethical issues within the medical records department are of paramount importance due to the sensitive nature of the information handled and the potential consequences of mishandling or misusing such data. As the manager of a healthcare facility’s medical records department, it is crucial to address these ethical issues to ensure compliance with legal regulations, maintain patient confidentiality, and uphold professional integrity. Two significant ethical issues that medical records employees may encounter are patient confidentiality breaches and data security breaches.
Patient confidentiality is a cornerstone of medical ethics and is protected by laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. Medical records employees have access to highly confidential information about patients’ medical conditions, treatments, and personal histories. Any unauthorized disclosure of this information can result in severe consequences, including legal penalties, loss of trust from patients, and damage to the reputation of the healthcare facility.
One of the most common scenarios leading to patient confidentiality breaches is improper handling of electronic health records (EHRs). With the widespread adoption of digital record-keeping systems, employees must adhere to strict protocols to prevent unauthorized access to patient data. For example, sharing login credentials, accessing records of friends or family members out of curiosity, or discussing patient cases in public areas can all constitute breaches of confidentiality. Such actions not only violate patients’ rights to privacy but also undermine the trust between healthcare providers and patients.
Another critical ethical issue in medical records management is data security breaches. As custodians of vast amounts of sensitive information, medical records departments are prime targets for cyberattacks and data breaches. Unauthorized access to patient records can lead to identity theft, medical fraud, and compromise patient safety. Moreover, data breaches can result in significant financial losses for healthcare organizations and damage their reputation.
Ensuring data security requires implementing robust cybersecurity measures, such as encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. However, human error remains a significant vulnerability in data security. Employees may inadvertently compromise data security by falling victim to phishing scams, using weak passwords, or failing to follow established security protocols. Therefore, continuous training and education on cybersecurity best practices are essential to mitigate the risk of data breaches.
In conclusion, patient confidentiality breaches and data security breaches are two of the most significant ethical issues that medical records employees may face. It is imperative for healthcare facilities to prioritize ethics training and establish clear guidelines to address these issues effectively. By promoting a culture of ethical awareness and accountability, medical records departments can uphold the trust and integrity of the healthcare system while safeguarding patients’ sensitive information.
Reference:
American Medical Association. (2016). Code of Medical Ethics: Current Opinions with Annotations. American Medical Association.
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