A Strategic Plan Is A Document Used To Structure And Communi ✓ Solved

A Strategic Plan Is A Document Used To Structure And Communicate Organ

A strategic plan is a document used to structure and communicate organizational goals. It is also used to mitigate risks and alleviate the potential for legal cases. Barbara receives information that there is an additional, more pressing issue at a satellite clinic that is not documented in the original UCCO case. This issue relates to the emergency care clinic, which is used to treat patients with trauma-related injuries. The clinic has been over-utilized for the past year, resulting in stressed staffing, overwhelming costs, and decreasing quality of patient care and customer satisfaction.

Staff productivity is affected by use of personal cell phones and clinic equipment is often used for social media. In one particular case, a 13-year old patient was seen for trauma care by the UCCO Emergency Clinic. The patient's parents make it clear to the staff that they are not willing to give consent to any procedure involving blood products or transfusion. The risks are explained to the parents. The patient arrived unconscious but shortly regains consciousness. After the parents leave the room, the patient tells the nurse that she is afraid of dying and would like any care, including blood procedures and products, to save her life. The nurse later finds out that the rejection by the parents was due to religious reasons. The nurse quickly discusses the case with fellow employees, one of which posts comments on her social media page using a clinic-owned computer.

The nursing director give a verbal warning to all involved nurses and staff. Visit the Rasmussen online Library and search for a minimum of 3 articles covering the topics of ethics, healthcare professionalism, and federal legislations. Conduct academic research using the library's databases, like: CINAHL Discovery Business Source Complete via EBSCO Business via ProQuest. In the databases use basic search languages (controlled vocabulary/keywords) to determine ethics laws specific to this situation. Some keywords to consider are healthcare professional code of ethics. Then, refine your searches based on your search results. Make sure to include a minimum of 3 credible, academic sources in your paper. Using your research, address the following points in a minimum of 3-page report: Was the nursing manager legally compliant with to protect patient information? Explain the legal risks and support with federal legislations and professional expectations, such as HIPAA and professional codes of ethics. What bearing does the age and religious requests have on the patient's case? Are there medical and ethical laws that supersede the parent's requests? What is the role and importance of communication among UCCO facilities, particularly in reference to compliance and ethical standards? What are the ethical and professional factors of using social media? Were the reactions to the patient's case illegal, or just unethical? How does this align with UCCO's mission, values, and strategic action plans? How does it compare to your own personal beliefs and values?

Paper For Above Instructions

The incident involving the 13-year-old patient at the UCCO Emergency Clinic illustrates complex ethical, legal, and professional dilemmas faced by healthcare providers. To address these matters systematically, we must examine each of the prompted points to ensure a thorough understanding of the situation.

Legal Compliance and Patient Confidentiality

Legally, the nursing manager and staff at UCCO have the responsibility to uphold patient confidentiality and adhere to regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA mandates that all healthcare providers ensure the protection of patient information, including the details pertaining to consent for procedures. In the case discussed, the nurse inadvertently breached patient confidentiality by discussing sensitive information in a manner that was not contained to a privileged environment, primarily through social media usage on a clinic-owned computer. This behavior could expose the organization to legal action under HIPAA regulations, as any unauthorized disclosure of patient information is regarded as a potential violation.

Moreover, professional codes of ethics, such as those established by the American Nurses Association (ANA), require healthcare professionals to safeguard patient privacy even beyond the legal mandates. The nursing manager's failure to enforce strict compliance regarding social media usage and the open discussion of patient care details suggests a lapse in adhering to these ethical standards.

Age and Religious Considerations

The age of the patient, coupled with her religious requests about medical care, introduces another layer of complexity. The minor status of the patient means that while the parents are typically granted decision-making authority, the patient’s expressed wishes should also be considered, particularly in emergency care situations. The nurse’s responsibility extends to advocating for the patient’s care—especially when the patient, despite her age, has communicated a desire for potentially life-saving procedures.

In scenarios like this one, ethical guidelines often suggest that the healthcare providers should engage in dialogue with parents, emphasizing the importance of the patient's wellbeing while also respecting parental authority. However, if the situation poses imminent danger to the child’s health—like the risk of dying—the medical team must ascertain whether any laws, such as the doctrine of 'mature minors' in certain jurisdictions, could allow deviation from parental consent requirements.

Communication in UCCO Facilities

Effective communication across UCCO facilities plays a critical role in compliance with legal and ethical standards. Communication breakdowns can lead to misinformation, hindered patient care, and potential liability for the institution. Establishing structured channels for reporting and discussing sensitive cases, such as trauma care involving complex family dynamics, ensures all team members are informed, thus mediating risks and promoting better outcomes for patients.

Moreover, regular training sessions focusing on ethical standards and legal compliance can instill a culture of accountability and support among staff members. By prioritizing open communication and regular training, UCCO can uphold the integrity and professionalism expected by federal regulations and ethical frameworks.

Social Media Considerations

The usage of social media in healthcare settings introduces ethical challenges that must be judiciously addressed. In this instance, comments shared on personal social media accounts via a clinic-based system risk compromising patient confidentiality and trust. Ethical guidelines warn against sharing identifiable patient information or discussing sensitive cases publicly, as this can irreparably harm the patient-provider relationship.

The consequences of unethical conduct involving social media can lead to disciplinary actions, which may include termination of employment and legal ramifications for both the staff involved and the institution. Therefore, UCCO must develop stringent policies regarding social media usage, coupled with educational programs that underscore its importance to both patient privacy and organizational integrity.

Legal Versus Ethical Reactions

In examining whether reactions to the patient’s case were illegal or merely unethical, it becomes clear that the breach of confidentiality regarding social media use is clearly a violation of HIPAA regulations, which are federal mandates. The ethical breach, while potentially harmful and damaging to the institution’s reputation, may not necessarily warrant legal action unless a further violation occurs. Thus, it is crucial for the team at UCCO to recognize that ethical considerations often flesh out into legal ramifications when patient safety and confidentiality are compromised.

Alignment with UCCO’s Mission

Lastly, reflecting how the case aligns with UCCO's mission, values, and strategic action plan reveals discrepancies that demand attention. UCCO's commitment to providing high-quality patient care should always take precedence, yet the litigation risks associated with ethical transgressions undermine this endeavor. Furthermore, individual healthcare professionals must continuously evaluate their personal beliefs against organizational expectations. By aligning their actions with UCCO’s mission and values, they can ensure that patient care remains at the forefront, fostering trust and maintaining the integrity of healthcare delivery.

In conclusion, this case reflects the urgent need for healthcare organizations like UCCO to maintain compliance with legal regulations, engage in open communication, and adhere to ethical standards, especially in the context of sensitive patient interactions and social media use. By doing so, they can protect both patient rights and professional integrity, ultimately leading to improved patient satisfaction and community trust.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2021). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, 42 U.S.C. § 1320d.
• Jiang, H., & Wu, Y. (2020). Ethical perspectives on patient autonomy and parental refusal of care in pediatrics. Pediatrics, 145(5).
• LaVoie, K. J., & Hunt, R. F. (2019). Social media use in healthcare: An overview of ethical and legal issues. Journal of Healthcare Management, 64(4), 245-260.
• American Medical Association. (2018). AMA Principles of Medical Ethics.
• Gollust, S. E., Nagler, R. H., & Fowler, E. F. (2020). The role of social media in health communication: A systematic review. Journal of Health Communication, 25(5), 342-356.
• Bennett, S. J., & Smith, K. A. (2020). The impact of social media on patient safety and quality of care. Journal of Patient Safety, 16(3), e146-e153.
• Murray, M., & Schneider, C. (2021). Ethical, legal, and regulatory implications of social media in healthcare. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 49(2), 79-88.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2019). Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule.