Information security is achieved by ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. In health care confidentiality, integrity, and availability mean the following: • Confidentiality – the property that electronic health information is not made available or disclosed to unauthorized persons or processes. • Integrity – the property that electronic health information have not been altered or destroyed in an unauthorized manner. • Availability – the property that electronic health information is accessible and useable upon demand by an authorized person. Health care providers have an ethical obligation to instruct their patients about the accessible electronic PHR choices, tougher encryption prerequisites, and federally approved code of practice, such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to certify the security of their records.
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.
Security Breach Case Study HCS/ 533 Nichole Sims October 7th, 2013 Lori Koepsel Security Breach Case Study Securing patient information, privacy, and security within a health care organization is essential to the daily operations. The administration at St. John’s Hospital takes pride in its sound policies and procedures for the protection of confidential client information. In fact, it serves as a model for other institutions in the area; however, printouts discarded in the restricted-access Information Systems department are not shredded. On numerous occasions, personnel working late have observed the cleaning staff reading discarded printouts that hold protected health information. St. John’s Hospital took immediate action towards the cleaning staff as well as the information systems administration team to ensure this type of breach, or others do not happen again in the future.
Health care professionals have an obligation to protect the rights to patient privacy when it concerns patient’s personal and medical information. Population Affected Patient privacy affects everyone receiving or providing medical care and it also affects those individuals seeking medical care. Patient confidentiality means a patient’s medical or personal information will not be disclosed to other individuals without the patient’s written permission. The physician of record should be the only person accessing the patient’s protected health information. The only time someone other than the physician of record should obtain the information is when the patient has given written permission.
Roles and Functions of Management in Health Care Kimberly Burrow University of Phoenix HCS/325 April 11, 2012 Kelli Reid 1 Roles and Functions of Management in Health Care The definition for the role and application of management functions used by today's health care managers are for the individual to handle the financing of the organization along with the accounting of the funds available. With this the manager has the knowledge to distribute the funds to the appropriate department and appropriate funds when needed. Marketing is a part of the management system needed to get the organization out to the public to make sure that the facility stays opened for the patients. If there are no patients there is no facility to manage. The most important role or function for a health care manager There are several roles and functions that a health care manager incorporates.
It helps to meet both quality and cost effective measures by patients. (Leatherman, 2013) United health care effectively communicates the performance results and feedback to the customers that provides the detailed process of decision making abilities. United Health care provides the important guidelines of preventing health issues at an initial stage which is important in healthy life style. It helps to make the patients healthy. United health group is committed to offer a wide range of health insurance plans and other benefits.
Notions of apprehension and fear of a paperless system is brought to the fore front by those who are deemed to commission the latest and greatest EMR technology. Medical Record Security State laws are specific on the access to patient’s records to only those authorized to do so. A major goal of the Privacy Rule is to assure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public's health and well being. The Rule strikes a balance that permits important uses of information, while protecting the privacy of people who seek care and healing. What information should be protected, How to deter security as well as how to keep this organization patient’s records safe.
Patient safety is a huge issue that should never be overlooked. I want to learn more about this topic because patient safety is such an important factor in healthcare. No one deserves to die because of a mistake that could have been prevented. I feel like nurses have should always be aware and remain proactive in what they do and be active in activities that enhance patient safety. Enhancing patient safety also contributes to the overall success of the healthcare facility (Potter & Perry, 2013, p.370).
The Importance of Proper Chart Documentation Introduction One of the most important things you will do in your job in the healthcare profession is charting. Charting is the way healthcare professionals communicate a patient’s weight, height, condition, medication, and past medical history. As soon as you walk in a doctor’s office, hospital, or any medical facility charting begins from the moment you sign in. Only healthcare professionals that are certified, licensed, or registered to chart should do so. There are three reasons proper chart documentations are important: to avoid lawsuits, keep accurate medical information for patient, and to maintain proper communication from one professional to another.
Duty of Care: Definition Duty of Care is a legal obligation to always act in the best interests of everyone to ensure that those receiving healthcare services receive safe and appropriate care and safe from danger and misuse. It is a code of practice that should be adhered to by healthcare professionals in everything they do to ensure they stay within the legal requirements for their role and to ensure that they are protected in the event of a claim of malpractice or negligence. It is also important that healthcare professionals act with independence as they are responsible for the wellbeing of those they care for. They must stay within their own professional competence and confidence levels and do all that they can to keep those receiving care from them safe from harm, as those they look after are often the more vulnerable members of society. The healthcare professional must always keep front of mind that with this kind of role comes a certain amount of responsibility.