Question

Answer the following questions with APA references:

1.    What is the impact of Internet technology on the security of health related information?
2.    What are the implications of the HIPAA as it relates to protection of health information?
3.    What are some issues related to privacy, security and confidentiality that the nurse may be confronted with? What are the implications for patient safety?
4.    How does an information system security affect privacy, confidentiality and security?
5.    What security measures can nurses’ uses to protect patient safety?
6.    What are some challenges with these security measures?

Answer 1

1. Digitalization of Health Records

   Electronic Health Records (EHRs) replacing outdated paper records has been a massive game changer for everyone in the medical world. Medical assistants to medical coding professionals to registered nurses are just a handful of roles that have been impacted by this industry-wide implementation.

   Nurses and technicians are responsible for inputting patient data into a central, digitized system. Medical billers and coders appointments update patient records with diagnostic codes (such as test results) and submit medical claims to insurance companies.

2. ‘Big Data’ is the buzzword of the digital age, and often intertwined with electronic health records. The term refers to enormous amounts of data which are collected, processed, and used for analytics.

   When analyzed by data experts, this information has multiple benefits, such as:

• Reducing healthcare costs
• Predicting epidemics
• Avoiding preventable deaths
• Improving quality of life
• Reducing healthcare waste
• Improving efficiency and quality of care
• Developing new drugs and treatments

3 Healthcare collects and stores huge amounts of data every single second (one research study can amount to 100 terabytes of data), so these facilities require expandable, cost-effective, and safe storage solutions. This is where The Cloud comes in.

The Cloud then uses hardware and software to deliver services across the internet. Healthcare professionals and patients are both able to access certain data and use applications from any internet-enabled device – anywhere in the world.

4 Better and Safer Data Storage

Cloud computer technology allows for masses of information to be stored at an unbelievably low cost, all without the limitations (and expense) of additional hardware or servers. With an increased reliance on EHR systems, Cloud storage protects against the loss of sensitive data with strong backup and recovery services.

5 Improved Access to Big Data

The Cloud is an invaluable tool for medical research and sharing medical information. Back in 2014, it was primarily used to exchange health information and store data, but by 2016, its capabilities were better understood. From mobilizing workforces to sharing big data to improve the accuracy of research studies, this full range of functions is changing the medical landscape.

reference-

( BIANCA BANOVA,6th june 2019)

answer 2-

1. Expansion of many of the requirements to business associates of these entities that receive protected health information, such as contractors and subcontractors
2. Penalties are increased for noncompliance based on the level of negligence with a maximum penalty of $1.5 million per violation
3. Strengthens the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Breach Notification requirements by clarifying when breaches of unsecured hea lth information must be reported to HHS
4. Patients can ask for a copy of their electronic medical record in an electronic form.   When individuals pay by cash they can instruct their provider not to share information about their treatment with their health plan
5. Sets new limits on how information is used and disclosed for marketing and fundraising purposes and prohibits the sale of an individuals’ health information without their permission
6. Reduces burden by streamlining individuals’ ability to authorize the use of their health information for research purposes
7. Makes it easier for parents and others to give permission to share proof of a child’s immunization with a school
8. Gives covered entities and business associates up to one year after the 180-day compliance date to modify contracts to comply with the rule

reference-( Fred Pennic 01/17/2013)

answer 3-

• Nurses are frequently put in the tenuous position of being asked for patient information by patient’s families and well-wishers. An example is another employee checking to see how a friend is doing. On the surface this seems harmless. But, is it really?
• A key patient safety initiative is better improved labeling of drugs and devices. IV bags and medicines are now routinely labeled with the patient’s name, a step we take to assure we are delivering the right care to the right patient. When they are discarded in open trash receptacles in patient rooms, have we compromised the patient’s confidentiality?
• Busy, frequently overcrowded, hospitals are less than perfect environments. Conversations with patients can easily be overheard. What can we do to lessen the chances of inadvertent disclosure?
• Are we confident that we have correctly determined who "needs-to-know" for every patient? How are we teaching the next generation of caregivers to think about confidentiality? Are there new tools we can give them?
• The consumer can access almost anything on the Internet today. Sophisticated search engines enable us to find everything ever written about any person or topic. Equally sophisticated efforts must be made by health care providers to prevent unauthorized access to patient information. How much information should we provide and what can we provide under HIPAA? What would our patients prefer?

reference-(Jeanette Ives Erickson,Sally Millar Vol 10 - 2005No. 2, May 05)

answer 5-

7 key elements that nurses must take seriously in order to prevent potentially disastrous violations.

1. Adhere to workplace security and privacy policies in protecting confidential patient information.

2. Understand and be compliant with HIPAA rules and regulations.

3. Understand the definition of individually identifiable health information, known as protected health information (PHI), and when it can be shared, how it can be shared, and with whom it can be shared. Examples of PHI covered by HIPAA include:

• Demographic information
• Health conditions, including diagnoses and test results
• Clinical data, such as lab results, diagnostic test results, procedures, and medications
• Billing and payment information
• Photographs

4. Learn how to implement reasonable safeguards to limit incidental uses or disclosures and avoid patient disclosure pitfalls. Remember, the patient is the final arbiter of what information is shared and/or transmitted.

5. Always keep anything with patient information out of the public’s eye.

6. Learn how to discard confidential information appropriately in accordance with your workplace privacy policy.

7. Consult with your HIPPA office or Human Resource office for any suspicious activities that may compromise patient confidentiality. Do not be afraid to ask for the guidelines and workplace security and privacy policies and procedures.

reference-Apr 26, 2018 | Blog, Nursing Careers