Rua 3: We Can But Dare We? Scenario To Be Used

Rua 3 We Can But Dare We Scenarioa Scenario Is To Be Used To Complet

Scenario: You are a department of health nurse responding to an epidemic, Virus L22, in your county. As a registered nurse investigator analyzing patient data to discover a trend and treatment options, you are tasked with collecting and analyzing real patient data daily. This epidemic has impacted all levels of the community including government officials, singers, actors, etc. While reviewing data, you stumble across a familiar name, which happens to be the name of one of your legislators, Senator Cristobal. Upon determining this, you take a photo of the data and post about the finding on social media. To complete this paper, please choose one of the 2 following outcomes or one listed in the attached RUA 3 We Can But Dare We rubric: Upon posting this, several media outlets reach out to you gain more information and a “quote” from you. They even offer a handsome $150,000 reward for your information. A day after posting on social media, you realize your mistake and delete your post. However, it was too late, and a lawsuit is filed against you for exposing the information. There are additional outcomes within the grading rubric that may be used. The paper should be formatted in APA style. Use the APA textbook you have or visit the Owl Purdue website for assistance on proper APA formatting. More details and grading rubric are attached.

Paper For Above instruction

The scenario presented involves a critical ethical and professional dilemma faced by a public health nurse investigator amid an epidemic outbreak of Virus L22. The situation underscores the importance of confidentiality, professional responsibility, and the potential consequences of sharing sensitive information in the age of social media. This case study explores the ethical considerations, risk management strategies, communication responsibilities, and legal implications involved in such circumstances.

Introduction

Public health professionals are tasked with balancing the duty to protect individual privacy and confidentiality while disseminating crucial information that can aid in controlling outbreaks and informing the public (Leipzig et al., 2020). In this scenario, the nurse investigator's decision to photograph and post patient data on social media exemplifies a breach of confidentiality, bringing to the forefront questions about ethical practice, professional boundaries, and the possible repercussions of such actions.

Ethical Principles and Professional Guidelines

The primary ethical principles relevant to this case include confidentiality, beneficence, non-maleficence, and professional integrity. The American Nurses Association (ANA, 2015) emphasizes the obligation of nurses to maintain patient confidentiality and privacy, even in challenging situations such as epidemic responses. Sharing identifiable information publicly violates these principles and can harm the reputation and privacy of patients, as well as undermine public trust in health authorities (Kohn et al., 2020).

It’s also important to consider the ethical guideline of 'do no harm.' The investigator’s post might have inspired panic, misinformation, or stigmatization of the community, especially with the involvement of a legislator’s name, which could be perceived as unfair or damaging (Mello et al., 2019). The ethical conduct requires careful judgment about what information should be shared and with whom.

Risk Management and Decision-Making

Upon discovering the legislator’s name among the data, the investigator faced a dilemma—either maintain strict confidentiality or share the information for transparency or advocacy. The immediate decision to post a photo of the data was influenced by the desire for transparency or personal judgment. However, considering the potential risks—legal action, breach of confidentiality, damage to professional reputation, and public trust—the decision to post was ethically questionable.

Effective risk management would include consulting institutional policies, legal counsel, and perhaps discussing the potential ramifications before sharing any sensitive data (Feldman & Vartanian, 2019). This underscores the importance of understanding reporting guidelines, legal limits on data sharing, and the confidentiality obligations inherent in healthcare practice.

Communication and Media Engagement

The subsequent media outreach and offer of a monetary reward complicate the ethical landscape. Engaging with media without authorization or considering the ethical implications of disclosures can deepen the breach of confidentiality (Reynolds & Qiu, 2020). The decision to delete the post shows responsibility, but it does not undo the damage caused. Proper communication strategies include transparency with authorities, clear guidelines for media engagement, and awareness of the possible legal consequences of social media activity.

Legal Implications and Consequences

The lawsuit filed against the nurse investigator illustrates the legal vulnerabilities associated with breaches of confidentiality. Federal and state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), prohibit unauthorized disclosures of protected health information (PHI) (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2021). Although this case involves identifiable data of a legislator rather than a patient, legal standards for confidentiality still apply, especially when sensitive data is publicly disseminated without authorization.

Legislators, as public officials, may have less privacy expectation, yet their personal health data remains protected under privacy laws. Violations can result in sanctions, job loss, or legal action, emphasizing the importance of cautious handling of sensitive information (Smith & Gray, 2018).

Recommendations and Ethical Best Practices

To prevent similar incidents, public health professionals should adhere to strict confidentiality protocols, engage in ongoing ethical education, and utilize secure communication channels. Developing clear policies for social media use, especially during epidemic responses, helps mitigate risks (Hughes & Mertens, 2017). Interactive training on ethical decision-making in social media contexts and regular audits of data handling practices are essential components of organizational governance.

In addition, fostering an organizational culture that emphasizes accountability and ethical responsibility encourages professionals to seek guidance before sharing sensitive information, particularly on public platforms. This case emphasizes the need for a balanced approach—transparency paired with confidentiality—to maintain public trust and professional integrity.

Conclusion

This scenario encapsulates the complex interplay of ethics, legality, and professional responsibility in public health nursing, especially in the context of social media use. While transparency and accountability are vital, they must be balanced with the obligation to protect individual confidentiality and comply with legal standards. The nurse investigator’s decision to share patient data on social media exemplifies the critical need for sound ethical judgment and organizational policies to navigate the digital age responsibly. Future guidance should focus on continuous ethics education, clear social media policies, and robust risk management strategies to safeguard public trust and uphold professional standards in public health practice.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. ANA.
• Feldman, J., & Vartanian, L. (2019). Risk management strategies in public health. Journal of Public Health Management & Practice, 25(3), 258-265.
• Hughes, C., & Mertens, S. (2017). Social media policies in health organizations. Health Policy and Technology, 6(3), 213-221.
• Kohn, M., et al. (2020). Confidentiality and data sharing in health research. American Journal of Public Health, 110(1), 73-80.
• Leipzig, J. et al. (2020). Ethical considerations in epidemic response. Bioethics, 34(2), 123-130.
• Mello, M. M., et al. (2019). Balancing transparency and privacy during outbreaks. American Journal of Infection Control, 47(9), 1089-1091.
• Reynolds, M., & Qiu, J. (2020). Media engagement in public health crises. Communication Research, 47(4), 501-523.
• Smith, J., & Gray, P. (2018). Legal perspectives on confidentiality in healthcare. Health Law Journal, 31(2), 119-135.
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2021). Health Information Privacy. https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/index.html