Background
Continuous advances in computer technology have significantly eased the collection and storage of patient data in healthcare systems. They have enabled long-term data storage and continuous access to critical information. Nevertheless, this has led to a rise in data breaches.
As a result, there are precedents for unethical behavior by providers because they cannot entirely prevent the theft of their patients’ information (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). Furthermore, clinicians may access or disclose data in violation of regulations. Patient trust falls, and providers lose a significant portion of their payers.
Problem Statement
Electronic systems for patient registration, data storage, and further use in hospitals have greatly simplified the organization of diagnosis and treatment for clinicians. Nevertheless, these systems appear reliable until problems with information leaks occur due to the organization’s fault. For example, among clinicians, someone may use a patient’s personal information, divert it to other organizations, or pass it on to fraudsters for extortion. Not too long ago, I observed a similar situation in which a doctor used patient data and shared it with third parties.
Another example includes data leaks resulting from insufficient protection of electronic medical record systems. An organization’s mission is to adhere to ethical principles in providing quality patient care (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). Violating patient privacy by leaking data is unethical because it compromises the patient’s right to the security of their health information, for which healthcare providers are responsible.
Solutions
The model of ethical decision-making requires considering a problem from multiple angles and striving for the best possible solution. In the event of a data breach, the ethical decision must be based on the importance of adhering to ethical principles and protecting patient privacy. Several ethically sound solutions can be adopted to address data leakage and theft from patients’ electronic health records.
First, one should accept that the blame for a leak can arise from both the provider and the consumer of the service. In both cases, the most effective solution would be to enhance the quality of information security for individuals who encounter such systems. This necessity arises because of the ever-increasing number of identity-related hacking and data theft techniques.
Secondly, the organization must adopt a stronger code of ethics to hold any employee who breaches data privacy accountable. Unfortunately, warnings are not always enough, so organizations must be prepared to pursue punishment and even legal action. Employees must understand that maintaining confidentiality is mandatory for them as medical personnel. The organization’s goal is to regulate staff behavior when patient safety protocols are violated.
On average, patients relate well to the information they receive online because they can track their vitals or gain new knowledge. Due to the need for remote access, organizations must be mindful of how and to what extent to grant access (Verma et al., 2021). For example, patients may log in under the names of other patients or physicians, putting other patients at risk of losing security.
Organizations should build an IT staff to configure and define the boundaries of information output for public and private access. This will allow patients to receive only specific information and staff to worry less about losing their privacy rights (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2021). Furthermore, a separate department can create unique encryption keys and access points, preventing unauthorized individuals from accessing data. The solutions addressing data breaches are based on the organization’s commitment to protecting patients’ privacy and preventing the disclosure of medical information.
References
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2021). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Verma, P., Kumar, S., & Sharma, S. K. (2021). Multiple dimensions of e-healthcare ethics and its relationship to the ethical concerns of the consumer. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 37(1), 70-89.