Select A State Or Federal Law Or Regulation

Select A State Or Federal Law Or Regulation

Week 5 Discussion Prompt 1 Select a state or federal law or regulation related to patient safety that has been implemented within the last five years requiring hospitals or any other health care organizations to change the way they manage the delivery of care. Discuss the changes that have occurred because of this law or regulation. Additionally, discuss the technology associated with either your selected law/regulation or a similar one. Are there ethical dilemmas that have resulted from technology changes when delivering care to patients or patient safety? Explain the dilemmas and how they might be resolved.

Paper For Above instruction

The landscape of healthcare is continuously evolving to prioritize patient safety and improve care outcomes. Recent legislative and regulatory measures have significantly influenced hospital practices, with the aim to enhance safety protocols, data management, and overall quality of care. One prominent example from the last five years is the implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act, which has mandated the modernization of health information technology (HealthIT) systems and improved data sharing to promote transparency and patient engagement. This regulation has not only transformed healthcare management but also introduced ethical considerations related to technology use in patient care.

The 21st Century Cures Act, enacted in 2016 and progressively implemented over the subsequent years, focuses heavily on advancing health IT infrastructure, particularly emphasizing interoperability and the secure exchange of electronic health records (EHRs). One of the significant changes in hospital operations following this law involves the mandatory adoption of interoperable EHR systems that enable real-time information sharing across healthcare providers. Prior to this legislation, hospitals and clinics often operated with siloed information systems, posing risks such as delays in care, duplicated tests, and medication errors. The law aimed to streamline communication, reduce administrative burdens, and foster patient participation in their own care.

Technological advancements aligned with this law have facilitated the development and deployment of sophisticated health information exchanges (HIEs) and precision medicine tools. Enhanced EHR systems now incorporate decision support tools, computerized physician order entry (CPOE), and alert mechanisms to prevent medication errors. For example, alerts for drug interactions or allergies are integrated into EHR platforms to promote safer medication management. Furthermore, these systems collect valuable data that can be analyzed to identify trends and improve clinical guidelines, ultimately contributing to higher standards of patient safety.

Despite the benefits, the integration of advanced technology in healthcare raises several ethical dilemmas. A primary concern is patient privacy and data security. As hospitals increase data sharing capabilities, the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access escalates. Ethical questions arise about the scope of data sharing, consent, and patient control over their personal health information. For instance, should patients have complete control over who accesses their data, or are there circumstances where broader data sharing is justified for public health or safety reasons? Balancing transparency with confidentiality remains a core challenge.

Another ethical issue pertains to the potential for bias and disparities embedded within healthcare algorithms and decision support systems. These tools rely heavily on data sets that might lack diversity, resulting in less accurate or equitable care for marginalized populations. For example, algorithms trained predominantly on data from white, urban populations may be less effective in diagnosing or managing care for minorities or rural residents, perpetuating health disparities. Ethical considerations demand rigorous oversight, validation, and continuous refinement of these systems to ensure they serve all patient populations fairly.

Resolving these dilemmas involves a multifaceted approach. Strengthening cybersecurity protocols and enforcing strict data governance policies are critical to safeguarding patient information. Consent models should be transparent and flexible, allowing patients meaningful control over their data. Moreover, continuous monitoring and evaluation of healthcare algorithms should be mandated to detect biases and improve their fairness and accuracy. Incorporating diverse data sets and involving ethicists, patient advocates, and interdisciplinary experts in health IT development can help ensure the technology aligns with ethical standards and promotes equitable patient safety outcomes.

In conclusion, the 21st Century Cures Act and related technological initiatives have brought substantial improvements to patient safety by promoting interoperability, reducing errors, and empowering patients. However, these advancements also introduce complex ethical dilemmas regarding privacy, consent, and equity. Addressing these issues requires ongoing vigilance, robust policies, and ethical oversight to harness technology's potential while safeguarding fundamental patient rights.

References

  • Blumenthal, D., & Tavenner, M. (2010). The EHR Incentive Programs—What They Can Offer and What They Cannot. New England Journal of Medicine, 363(6), 501-504. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsr1006124
  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2016). The 21st Century Cures Act and the Future of Healthcare IT. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov
  • Evans, R. S. (2016). Electronic Health Records: then, now, and in the future. Perspectives in Health Information Management, 13(Spring), 1-12.
  • Halamka, J. D., & Mandl, K. D. (2019). The impact of health information technology on healthcare quality and safety. Annals of Internal Medicine, 170(8), 563–565. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-2820
  • Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). (2022). Interoperability and Patient Access. Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov
  • Schwarz, A. (2020). Data Privacy and Security in Healthcare: Ethical Considerations. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46(3), 173-177. https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2019-105721
  • Vineis, P., et al. (2018). Bias in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Ethical Frameworks and Recommendations. BMJ Quality & Safety, 27(7), 602-607. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2018-007922
  • Weitzman, E. R., et al. (2021). Ethical Challenges of Digital Health Technologies. American Journal of Medicine, 134(2), 187–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.07.040
  • West, D. M. (2019). How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Healthcare. Brookings Institution Report. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu
  • Yen, P. H., et al. (2019). Ethical Considerations in the Use of Health Information Technology. Healthcare, 7(2), 83. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare7020083

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