...Violation of patient privacy in any circumstance has a serious legal and financial consequences.in 2009, according to the informational management (2009), CVS was penalized $2.25 million for trashing patients medication bottle containing personal information. This shows how sensitive patient information is and we need to keep confidential in all aspect. Nurse parker violated the patient privacy by posting her initials recognizing from her relation she had in the hospital. According to Pabrai (2003) “any health information maintained by a covered entity where the individual could, in any possible way, be identified, needs to be treated as individually identifiable information.”(p120).The nurse should know better in protecting the...
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...helpful, but may also be damaging. Having a policy within a facility will assist in reducing the risk of a privacy violation. A social network site is an online community for individuals to meet and share information along with discussing common interests. The issue arises from a health care professional violating patient privacy and other HIPAA laws within the social networking sites. Leaking patient information through these sites can be damaging to the patient and the physician at the same time. Social media sites tend to be relaxed and not always handled in a professional manor. This can lead to personal health information leaking through the sites. Although the leaks may not be intentional, they are still a violation of privacy laws protecting the patient. As a society, personal information that could possibly be damaging to a person is both personal and potential gossip. Not all leaks of personal health information are gossip, and damaging, but it could be for any person. The damage will reflect the person being spoken about and the medical facility that has treated the patient. When a simple slip of a health care facility staff member, such as a nurse, slips and mentions something regarding their day, a privacy violation will occur. Simply mentioning how your day went and stating information without specifics can occur. A statement such as a patient who had a hip replacement is always ringing their bell. A person who knows where you...
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...“When Med Students Post Patient Pictures” Cohen (2011) describes a situation in which a medical student posts a comical picture of a patient with rebar in his abdomen. The student uploads the picture to Facebook with the caption “a 5-foot-9 Hispanic male walks into a bar” (para. 1). Additionally, the article states that battlefield humor is a common response by many medical professionals, but this does not diminish the doctor-patient privilege of confidentiality. Even though no identifiable patient information is on display, Cohen (2011) indicates that “the chances of that happening increase as the injuries depicted grow more grotesque and less commonplace” (para. 2). Although one can easily surmise the medical student’s actions are both illegal and unethical, his or her actions have further-reaching implications. Facts Legality Like Cohen, Hernandez (2011) agrees “the weirder and more specific the facts, the greater the chances are of identifying who’s involved” (para. 3), and the poster violates the AMA Code of Medical Ethics “which these future physicians ought to emulate” (para. 5). The American Medical Association (AMA) has many Opinions in its Code of Ethics in regard to the protection of patient privacy. However, there are three Opinions that exemplify the need for patient confidentiality. First, Opinion 5.045—Filming Patients in Health Care Setting clearly states “filming patients without consent is a violation of the patient’s privacy” (AMA, 2013, para. 3)....
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...How HIPPAA Violations Affect the Medical Billing Process, Part Two Amber Padgett HCR/220 October 19, 2014 Felecia Pettit-Wallace The purpose of this paper is to relate to ways that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) violations may affect the medical billing process. While researching, the findings conclude that confidentiality of health information was adopted centuries ago. The findings of the research show that although, HIPAA laws have been put into place to protect the privacy and confidential heath information of patients; HIPAA laws are sometimes violated. The medical billing coders are sometimes careless when handling confidential information; however medical health records should be protected adequately. The coder that violates the HIPAA laws concerning the confidentiality and privacy of patient health information can suffer serious ramifications. The ramifications of these violations could result in serious penalties such as disciplinary actions by the employer, monetary fines, and jail time, or both. HIPAA violations ranks number one among the complaints received by the Office of Civil Rights each year. Humans take pleasure in the right to privacy in every aspect of life. The right of protecting the confidentiality and privacy of identifiable personal health information takes first priority and is greatly cherished among most. The Hippocratic Oath, dating back centuries required physicians to keep medical information concerning...
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...Protecting patient privacy is in vital in today society. One of the largest problems in the health care industry is patient privacy. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules are the main Federal laws that protect your health information. The Privacy Rule gives you rights with respect to your health information. The Privacy Rule also sets limits on how your health information can be used and shared with others. The Security Rule sets rules for how your health information must be kept secure with administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. ( ) Many different and potentially serious issues can arise from violating a patient’s privacy. The recent outbreak of Ebola has the country on edge. As health care officials struggle to contain the world’s biggest-ever Ebola outbreak, their efforts are being complicated by another problem protecting patient rights. The issue and its impact on the population is protecting the patient’s information, giving the patient that sense of peace. The third American affected with Ebola was only know as “mystery patient” he elected to stay private for the safety of his family. December 8, 2014 the mystery patient came forward and explains to the NY times why he kept his name confidential. The day he arrived at the hospital Dr. Ian Crozier told his mother that he didn’t want his name to be release until after his death. Dr. Ian Crozier biggest fear...
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...Invasion of a Patient’s Privacy and a Physician’s Loss HCS/335 October 21, 2013 Linda Hagler-Reid, MBA Introduction Physicians take an oath to do no harm and to place the welfare of their patients above all else; they vow to act with integrity, in accordance with the law, and within ethical guidelines. While individuals can perceive human behavior differently, there is no excuse for misconduct, degradation, or violation of a patient’s human rights. Ethically, it is not immoral to disagree about what is right and what is wrong, in some societies this is viewed as normal behavior. Despite differences in opinion, most will agree that there are certain standards of conduct that must be upheld, especially when it involves the human rights of others. Violation of a patient’s privacy is an act punishable by law, violation of a patient’s dignity is outright reprehensible, and what is considered to be unbecoming behavior of a medical professional. Although freedom to act as one pleases is a human right that is afforded us; to act without regard for others is morally wrong. Health care practitioners are often privileged to extremely personal information regarding their patients whether that information is health related or personal. All to frequently, physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals are witness to events that can be disturbing in nature. At times, these events can be unnerving and sometimes entertaining, but nevertheless should be kept confidential...
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...HIPAA Privacy Rule is one the most important regulations in the Health and Human Services (HHS) because it sets the guidelines forcing medical practices to keep patients date securely and privacy. The Privacy Rule mandates that the minimum amount of protected health information (PHI) is to be accessed or requested by HIPAA covered entities (www.hhs.gov, 2014). Nowadays, healthcare providers need quick access to patient medical information anywhere at any time the patients present in order to provide efficiency and quality care to patients. Since people can access to patient’s information easily, the number of HIPPA violations increase dramatically. The advent of the internet has had a major impact on the healthcare industry in the last...
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...Singel Patient confidentiality is an important issue within the healthcare profession. Patient confidentiality was an important issue that in the year of 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act which is also called the (HIPPA), was passed in an effect to make health care more effect and available for Americans who receives health benefits. When the HIPPA was produced; they also produced the HIPPA Privacy Rule. The HIPPA Privacy Rule was being enforced, because confidential patient information was being shifted from one medical facility to the next. HIPPA protects an individual’s health information or his /her demographic information. It is also called “protected health information” or “PHI”. HIPPA protects patient’s information such as your name, dates relating to the patients, birthdates, medical treatment, admission discharge dates and dates of death. They also involved telephone numbers, and addresses, social security numbers, and any other unique identifying numbers you may encounter obtaining yourself. Before entering into the medical field, whether it is in a Hospital Facility or just a doctor’s office; there are important rules and regulations that one must abide by. Those rules are as followed: 1. one person cannot discuss a patient medical care with someone who is not directly related to the patient medical care group. 2. You cannot discuss the patient’s progress with anyone but the patient without getting permission from the patient or their...
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...smartphones are becoming more prevalent in business and the healthcare field as well. According to Pew Research Center, “62% of smartphone owners have used their phone in the past year to look up information about a health condition” (April, 2015). Technology, just like all things come with flaws and setbacks. However, with the new technology being created every day, along with the increasing use of both smartphones and social media, using these outlets for patient-provider relationships can enhance overall patient trust and care. That being said, ensuring that patient privacy is not violated has to be the number one priority. Advances in technology and media can pose great triumphs for healthcare further down the road, as long as the appropriate measures are taken to ensure that HIPAA standards are being met at all times while using these outlets. Understanding HIPAA’s Guidelines for Securing Patient Information HIPAA’s Privacy Rule sets the guidelines for the use and disclosure of protected health information (HHS, n.d). This Privacy Rule protects all identifiable information that is held or transmitted by a covered entity. These entities include health providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, or its business associates. It protects this information in any form, whether electronic, paper, or oral. (Terry, 2015). Identifiable information can include any of the following: an individual’s past, present or...
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...Fired Over Patient Privacy Violations Luanne D. Walters HCS/335 Ethics: Health Care and Social Responsibility February 29, 2012 Jacqueline Paik Employees Fired Over Patient Privacy Violations “Whatsoever things I see or hear concerning the life of men, in the attendance on the sick or even apart there from, which ought not be noised abroad, I will keep silence thereon, counting such things to be as sacred secrets (Oath of Hippocrates, 4th Century, B.C.E.)”. Addressing issues pertaining to the privacy of a patient is not new to the medical arena. In the past the confidentiality between a patient and the doctor should have been taken seriously, however, was sometimes taken for granted, and information was passed to people with no need to know. In 1996 The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) was legislated. Rules and regulations to guard patient privacy were brought to the forefront in the world of patient care. Safeguarding a patient’s electronic data continues to be a high emphasis in doctor/patient confidentiality. The issue that will be addressed in regard to violating patient privacy in this paper took place in a Minneapolis hospital in March 2011. The issue involved nearly 32 hospital employees who took it upon themselves to look up information on a number of patients who were part...
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...organizations, the uses of technology have created a more effective and efficient patient care environment. Health information technology (HIT), such as hand-held portable devices, has improved exponentially over the decades resulting in improved communication between health care organization staff and accessibility of patient files. However, the uses of hand-held portable devices are not entirely without faults. By identifying the benefits of hand-held portable devices, health care organizations must consider the impact of patient privacy and how to secure it within their environment. Hand-held portable devices have been a blessing in the health care environment. The portability of a cell phone or a tablet allows physicians to access patient files anywhere and anytime. In addition, the use of pagers provides medical personnel the capability to reach a physician at any time. Pager networks provide better signal than cell phone signals and are more reliable than wireless internet signals. In the event of disasters, pagers were often most...
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...Administrative Ethics Paper The journal article that I chose is about a case of privacy and confidentiality of health care employees in New Zealand and not the United States. Its relevancy though is just as important here as it was in New Zealand. New Zealand has a Privacy Act similar to the United States’ HIPAA. The article “Privacy, employees and human resources: a case report” (Mair, 2011) documents the release of an employee’s medical records to his employer, a New Zealand hospital and the resulting issues. Although administrators are highly cognizant of patient privacy and confidentiality, it can be easily overlooked when employees are involved. The article concerns an employee at a particular hospital who presented himself to that hospital’s Emergency Department for stress and anxiety connected to his employment there and his bullying and harassment by a particular nurse. He had made several complaints to the administration about this treatment by the nurse and nothing had been done. The nurse, Nurse X, who interviewed him, noted that he was at a low risk of harming himself or others. He also told Nurse X that he had submitted his resignation that day to the hospital. A doctor at the hospital assessed him and determined that he was of moderate risk to himself because the internalizing his anger could lead to suicide. He was transferred to another hospital where he was again evaluated and discharged the next day after as it determined that he was no longer experiencing...
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...Patient Confidentiality and HIPAA Heather Lyday HCIS/245 November 8, 2015 Kathleen Healy-Collier Patient Confidentiality and HIPAA The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or HIPAA, is a law that is meant to; improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and healthcare delivery, promote use of medical savings accounts, improve access to long-term care, and simplify administration of health insurance. The HIPAA privacy standards are designed to protect a patient’s identifiable health information from unauthorized disclosure or use in any form, while permitting the practice to deliver the best healthcare possible. To comply with the law, privacy activities in the average medical office can be: providing a copy of the office privacy policy informing patients about their privacy rights and how their information can be used, asking the patient to acknowledge receiving a copy of the policy and/or signing a consent form, obtaining signed authorization forms, adopting clear privacy procedures, training employees so that they understand the privacy procedures, designating someone to be responsible for seeing that the privacy procedures are adopted and followed, and securing patient records containing individually identifiable health information so that they are not easily made available to those who do not need them. Failure to comply with HIPAA can result in civil and criminal penalties...
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...Association, 2011). Along with streamlining the administrative process, HIPAA also guarantees patient privacy and has strict guidelines regarding how organizations can disclose a patient’s protected health information (American Medical Association, 2011). The Department of Health and Human Services promises to impose steep fines to those organizations that do not follow the HIPAA guidelines. Although many of the guidelines they are referring to have more to do with billing and coding procedures, patients’ privacy is also very important. Many facilities have educated staff extensively on the issues surrounding patient privacy. Prior to 1996, a patient’s family member could call a hospital and request the medical status of his or her loved one who was hospitalized. Currently, the patient must give express consent as to whom the staff may and may not speak with regarding their care. The rule has become to not only refrain from giving any information, but they cannot even confirm or deny a patient’s admission status. The various elements in the HIPAA guidelines are daunting. Seemingly innocuous actions are now cause for concern. There have been several institutions, which have been cited for HIPAA privacy violations. The management at Richmond Surgical GPS PC (RichSurg) have taken cues from other institutions in identifying its own potential privacy...
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... Introduction Patients private information and private hospital documents are often leaked by internal employees or vendors who work throughout the organization. Each hospital or organization has strict policies and guidelines for which each employee or vendor must abide. Often Times these policies and guidelines are breached due to employees misusing the information for their own personal gain. Not only is this a breach of hospital policy, it is also a violation of the Health Insurance Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA). So when the HIPPA law is broken different protocols have to come in and the situation has to be dealt with so the hospital will not be reliable for that . Not only is the hospital liable for the patients information being released to a third party without the patients consent it is also a violation of the HIPPA Law. Employees must really have to follow the different policies and protocols that there hospital have. For instance, if you do not know the procedures they have a book that they give to their employees when you are hired on. The information on polices and procedures are included in the employee handbook. The handbook is usually located in Human Resource office ,if you lose the handbook that is given to you at the beginning of employment. However HIPPA policies and procedures are typically posted throughout the organization. At the same time, the Privacy Rule is balanced so that it permits disclosure...
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