...Privacy Endangerment with the Use of Data Mining An emergent Information Technology (IT) issue that has been rising in the past few years has been data mining. Data mining is utilized to retrieve personal identifiable information provided by individuals through the use of Internet services such as: social media networks, email, and other networks that contain data bases full of personal information. If such data retrieval if not done careful, it can cause ethical issues for the companies that are involved. The ethical issues related to data mining are violation of privacy, confidentiality, and respect of persons’ rights. Issues that required the immediate attention regarding data mining are: What stops corporations from sharing personal identifiable information with other companies?; How effectively and ethically data mining is use by the government?; Is our privacy and confidentiality truly protected? Social network companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google provide users agreements upon joining their services. These agreements underline how the information provided by the user will be utilize by the company and it allows the user to understand how to protect their personal identifiable information while utilizing these social network sites. These companies pride themselves in protecting users’ personal information. However, what happens when the company or an unethical company employee violates these agreements? Personal identifiable information is then released...
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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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...very costly if violated administratively. As a result of the HIPAA act the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) needed to impose another act known as the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health act (HITECH) as a way of ensuring enforcement of HIPAA (HHS Press Office, 2011). This act allows Health and Human services to impose a civil monetary penalty (CMP) to reinforce the social and legal responsibilities of health care workers. The United States Department of Health and Human Services penalized Cignet Health management 4.3 million for violating the privacy rule set in place by HIPAA (HHS Press Office, 2011). According to Health and Human services the amount an organization is fined is based on the categories of the violations and the increased penalty amounts previously authorized by the HITECH act. Cignet Health management was penalized for violating the patients’ rights of 41 people by withholding access to their personal medical records...
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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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...Week 5: Final Paper Journal Assignment Carol Hickman PHI445: Personal & Organization Ethics Instructor: Kristine Ouzts June 15, 2015 Thesis statement for the Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) Not-for-Profit Company This paper will evaluate how the BGCA honor their commitment to assist young people at reaching their potential of becoming productive, caring responsible citizens using motivation, education and encouragement. The ethical issue that BGCA faces is maintaining the virtues and image of the BGCA and the challenges related to disenfranchised youth of today. The ethical theories of deontology, utilitarian and relativism will be examined to resolve how BGCA will honor their mission statement with an ethically proper solution. Background The BGCA is a 501(c) 3 (nonprofit) organization and their donations are tax deductible. The BGCA’s mission is to ‘To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring responsible citizens.’ The BGCA has over 4000 youth affiliated clubs throughout the U.S., Native lands and military installations worldwide. The BGCA started in 1860 in Hartford, Connecticut with three women and for more than 150 years, BGCA has been helping kids grow and thrive. The moral character of the three women whom started BGCA is a great example of the virtue theory. Taking boys off the streets into their homes to provide a positive alternative is a selfless act of kindness. BGCA’s...
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...Verizon Ethics Privacy Policy Tyler Moore IFSM 304 Professor Dr Fundaburk 10/6/2013 Verizon Ethics Policy 1. Overview The purpose for this ethics policy is to establish ground rules for maintaining ethic standards when it comes to privacy. Each person is responsible for his/her influence in other people’s privacy. All employees should familiarize themselves with the ethics guidelines that follow this introduction. Verizon is determined to protect the privacy and confidentiality of its customers, employees, and partners. By Verizon taking a stand to safeguard ethical rights, it will better help grow and mature business. Verizon will not tolerate anyone who violates this policy, whether it is intentionally or unintentionally. Verizon will punish those involved if the ethical code is broken. Any infractions of this code of ethics will not be tolerated. 2. Purpose The purpose of publishing this policy is to see that the ethical rights of each person are maintained, specifically confidentiality, equality, and respect for people. 3. Scope This policy applies to customers, employees, contractors, consultants, temporaries, and partners of Verizon, including all personnel affiliated with third parties. 4. Policy 5.1. Executive Commitment to Ethics 5.2.1. The leaders at Verizon must set the best example possible for its employees. 5.2.2. Executives must keep an open mind and encourage employees to suggest new...
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...Ethical issue The issue is whether it is ethical for Google to collect payload data using its Street View vehicles through unencrypted Wi-Fi network. Google's street view project was intended to capture images and also Wi-Fi data which are then used to map businesses and landmarks. However Google was found to be collecting 'payload' data which was unnecessary for its location database project. Numerous investigations ensued, questioning the ethicality of the Street View debacle. Theoretical Perspectives This section will look at 3 schools of ethical theories. From a virtue ethics point of view, though Google's s slogan "Don't Be Evil" and its Google Code of Conduct established a baseline for honest decision-making, it is more action-based rather than character based. Being an Internet service provider that handles an immense amount of data, Google should aspire to be an organisation that is honest and truthful. Therefore a virtue ethicist will say that Google's data sniffing debacle is unethical since it is against what a virtuous organisation ought to do. Consequentialist theories can be classified based on the type of consequences, the primary beneficiary of the action and if it is agent-centered or agent neutral (Frost). Using the theory of ethical egoism, the consequences for the agent are taken to matter more than any other result. In the design document of the Street View Project, it was stated that Wi-Fi data Google gathered would "be analyzed offline for use in...
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...Week 9 Final Project Ethics Program Report Patton Fuller Community Hospital Ethics Program Report Within Patton Fuller Community Hospital (PFCH) it has been brought to my attention there are moral and ethical issues we are facing. These issues are; * Unauthorized disclosure of patient information * Data security breach * Medication doses error Since the hospital main focus is the patients as it is states in their mission statement, that they cares about the patients and not the bill, so any medical error can have a great effect on the hospital reputation. These medical errors that been brought to my attention can bring medical law suits to the hospital and their staff. I was hired as the ethics advisor to design a new ethics program for the company that will best exemplify and maintain our business ethics. Within this plan we will go over the hospital policies and procedures, the code of ethics and training on ethics. We will discuss expectations for the employees and the consequences for non-compliance. The purpose and goal for this plan is detect and prevent any violations and or regulation of the law, either non criminal or criminal of this organization of the hospital. This program will apply to the following: * Physicians * Professional staff * Administrative staff * Students * Volunteers * Exempt staff * Non exempt staff Patton Fuller community hospital will ensure all employees will have total access to the protocol that...
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...Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare 12/10/2010 A fun thing for me to look at is how different industries have changed throughout the years and for me there are two industries in particular that I love and am very familiar with; they are the Healthcare Industry and the Entertainment industry. In this assignment I would like to bring the two together and take a look into how healthcare is portrayed on screen with much more detail today than it was before by explaining ethical situations that were noted in a film that was made in 1996 called “Extreme Measures.” An interesting fact is that this movie was made right before the HIPPA Act of 1996 was enforced, which covers standards in healthcare on patient privacy, confidentiality, and security; so by discussing these situations found in the movie, we can clearly see how ethical dilemmas would arise and how they we’re most likely dealt with through HIPPA. First thing I noticed in the beginning of the movie was when the camera went through the hallway of the ER; there were patients that were placed out in the open and in the hallway. This would pose a problem since there would be no real sense of privacy if the patient is being asked questions about their illness out in the open. I have been to hospitals like this and immediately the patient starts to be evaluated by a nurse and the patients’ history and current issues are being discussed, and this has been corrected by at least having curtains that enclose the encounter between...
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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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... In the case study, the nurse is facing ethical as well as professional dilemma regarding the patient’s rights. The nurse’s role in this case study is to, work according to the Maryland state regulations and nursing standards; But as per Maryland nursing standards, she is not working as an advocate for her patient, Mr. E at this situation (Code of Ethics - the Division of State Documents, 10.27.19.02). The patient already signed advanced directive against life saving measures almost seven years ago, at the time of admission to a nursing home, with the help of patient advocate; but Dr G. is planning patient care in opposition to Mr.E’s active advance directive and his expressed objections to the medical care. There are numerous issues to consider in this case study. The nurse has to review her professional role according to code of ethics and nursing standards in relation to advance directives and medical power of attorney. The nurse also has to consider the patient’s right to privacy and confidentiality according to HIPPA Policy. The issues in contemporary healthcare facilities are sometimes the statues can be vague, and issues can be in conflict with own personal beliefs in most areas. A) State Regulations and Nursing Standards of practice There are specific Maryland state regulations and nursing standards regarding patient rights in this case study. However, the most relevant regulation is that, the nurse promotes...
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...ICNE YALE #98 ETHICAL PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY NURSING STUDENTS IN TURKEY Fethiye Erdil and Fatos Korkmaz Nursing students increasingly encounter ethical problems during their clinical practice which sometimes infringe the rights of patients. However, so far there is no study in Turkey on the extent of problems from the perspective of nursing students, as well as how nurses are involved in ethical decision making process. This study is conducted at Hacettepe University Health Science Faculty Nursing Department with the aim of identifying the ethical problems confronted by nursing students. Eighty-four third class and 69 senior nursing students were volunteers to participate in this study. Their age ranged from 19 to 23 years. All participants have taken the course entitled ‘Nursing History and Deontology’ which include 14 hours ethical content. Students were asked to describe moral problems that they observed or encountered during their clinical practice. Ethical problems at clinical practice were reported as physical maltreatment of patients (28%), inappropriate approaches toward patients which cause psychological distress (24%), violation of privacy (21%), providing inadequate information (16%) and discrimination based on the social and economical status (16%). The reasons of these ethical problems were stated by students as the unprofessional conduct of physicians (34%) and nurses (44%), and ineffective hospital management (9%). The most striking finding of this study...
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...with any violations of the handbook. As with all things, we reserve the right to make changes as we see fit with proper notification to all employees. We may revise, add, or delete as necessary. If you need more information regarding anything in the handbook, please contact your Human Resource Manager. Privacy Rights Addressed Privacy will be honored on both the employer and the employee. All confidential material, such as your personnel file or payroll, will be kept private and only the necessary employees will have access. Any information that is released will be done on a need to know basis only. As an employee, it is your responsibility to maintain the privacy of our clients and any information you may receive throughout the workweek. You will also have information about our daily operations. These also are not to be shared with anyone. Depending on your position with our company, you may receive confidential information regarding other employees that is not to be shared with others. It is of highest importance that privacy is maintained during all aspects of work. Privacy Rights & Privacy Protection The right to privacy in the workplace is not a guaranteed right in the Constitution. However, in the Supreme Court ruling on Griswold v. Connecticut, (381 U.S. 479 (2965).), the Court held that a Connecticut statute restricting a married couple’s use of birth control devices unconstitutionally infringed on the right to marital privacy. Therefore...
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...Ethics Misty Sorensen HCS/335 August 19, 2012 Christine Singel Administrative Ethics Patient privacy is the responsibility of the medical organization that treats the patient. Patients have the right to have their medical issues kept private from people that do not need to know the information. The federal government has created the HIPPA policy to help medical organizations understand and follow rules to protect the privacy of the patients that come to the organization. It is important for the organization to make sure that all members of the staff are trained and follow the policies of HIPPA. In some cases organizations may have ethical issues arise involving a patient’s privacy and the confidential information of a patient. Ethical issues arose at the Alexandria VA Medical Center it involved the staff and the administration. The VA Office of Inspector General’s office was called to look into the problems (Garrett, Baillie, & Garrett 2009). The VA Office of Inspector General Office of Healthcare Inspections investigated the possibility of mismanagement of the suicide prevention program at the Alexandria VA Medical Center in Pineville, LA. A confidential complaint against the facility was filed and the allegations made stated that there were over 600 patients on a high risk for suicide list and that the patients were not monitored as required. Privacy and confidentiality rules were not followed in the suicide prevention program. The administration was...
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...Administrative Ethics Paper Kelly N McCoy HCS/335 May 19, 2014 Melissa Green, MHA Administrative Ethics Paper Safeguarding patient privacy has been a serious problem even with current technology. Not only are “regular” patients at risk; celebrities and politicians are at a greater risk related to the current culture of social media, reality television, and the “need to know” attitude of today’s society. In the past ten years, serious issues with breeches in celebrity and politicians privacy and confidentiality have risen. For example, in 2013, the reality star Kim Kardashian’s and rapper Kayne West’s medical records were inappropriately accessed between June 18th and June 24th, after giving birth to a baby girl at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Associated Press, 2013). In order to ensure and safeguard patient privacy and confidentiality, issues related to breaching patient privacy must be addressed. This paper will address the following: 1. Background information in relation to the breach of Kim Kardashian and Kayne West’s privacy. 2. Arguments or specifics used in the article to support the proposed solution. 3. Ethical and legal issues. 4. Managerial responsibilities related to administrative, ethical issues. 4. Solutions to reduce and prevent breaches in patient privacy. Last year, reality star Kim Kardashian and Kayne West’s medical records were wrongly and unauthorized accessed by five employees of Cedar-Sinai Medial Center after the birth of their daughter (Associated...
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