Shandra Was A Senior In Her Final Semester Of The Health Inf

Shandra Was A Senior In Her Final Semester Of the Health Information M

Shandra was a senior in her final semester of the Health Information Management (HIM) program at Anystate University in Smithville. She was completing her final courses, which included Trends in Health Information Management, Organizational Management Theories, and her Professional Practice Experience. Shandra was engaged to Andre, the Assistant Director of Respiratory Therapy at St. James Medical Center, with plans to marry after her graduation. Shandra was carrying a 4.00 grade point average going into her final semester and had hopes of becoming a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance specialist after graduation because she had heard that a new position was being created.

She was excited to be able to complete her Professional Practice Experience at St. James Medical Center, the only hospital in Smithville, so she would be able to complete the rest of her courses that same semester, continue to live near her family and fiancé, and hopefully get her foot in the door with a chance at the new HIPAA compliance specialist position. Shandra started her Professional Practice Experience by attending two full days of orientation with a group of new employees. The orientation sessions included information about infection control, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, HIPAA, and quality improvement processes. All students and new employees were required to sign confidentiality statements during orientation.

Shandra did exceptionally well completing all of her assigned tasks during her Professional Practice Experience. She also became close with a number of the staff members in the HIM department and in other areas of the facility. She enjoyed being able to take her breaks and lunches with her fiancé and his friends from the hospital. During breaks and lunches, Shandra overheard a variety of conversations among hospital staff. Occasionally, they would discuss interdepartmental issues, and sometimes they would gossip about hospital staff and physicians.

One conversation was focused on a rumor about Henri Pioche, the Director of Respiratory Therapy. Many of the staff members present for the conversation indicated that they heard Mr. Pioche had been diagnosed with some kind of malignant condition and had been recently worked up to determine the possibility of brain metastasis. Shandra and Andre took their afternoon break alone together that afternoon. Shandra asked Andre if he had heard any kind of confirmation regarding his director's condition.

Andre had only heard rumors, but of course, he was curious because he would be the obvious next in line for the director position. When Shandra returned to the HIM department after break, she pulled up Henri Pioche's records and saw that he had recently had a series of outpatient tests at the facility. She researched further and found that the most recent tests indicated brain metastasis that appeared significant. That evening, Shandra shared her findings with Andre. The following day, Andre decided to approach Henri about the situation.

He simply indicated that he had heard of him having serious health issues. Andre volunteered to help in any way possible and stated he was more than willing to cross-train to expand his duties to be able to cover in case Henri had to be gone for an extended period of time or if anything should happen that he might not be able to return, acting as an interim director until a decision could be made about a replacement. Henri denied his health issues to Andre. He did not want anybody at St. James to know of his condition, at least not this soon.

However, it concerned him that Andre seemed too confident about his knowledge of his health status, so he contacted the Director of Health Information Management to investigate who may have had recent access to his health information. A report was run to provide an audit log for access to Henri's records, and the HIM department director questioned Shandra to determine why she had been in Henri's electronic health record. Shandra knew immediately that she could not come up with a verifiable excuse, so she decided that honesty was the best policy in this case and admitted that she had looked to see whether what she heard on break was indeed true.

Paper For Above instruction

The above narrative presents a scenario involving sensitive health information, breach of confidentiality, and ethical considerations within the context of health information management. This paper will analyze the ethical and legal implications of Shandra’s actions, highlight the importance of HIPAA regulations in maintaining patient confidentiality, and explore the responsibilities of health information professionals to uphold ethical standards. The discussion will also examine how such breaches can impact both individuals and healthcare organizations and will suggest strategies for promoting ethical behavior and compliance within healthcare settings.

In the healthcare environment, maintaining patient confidentiality is a fundamental obligation governed by legal frameworks such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA sets standards for protecting individually identifiable health information and imposes strict penalties for violations. Shandra’s decision to access Henri Pioche's records without proper authorization constitutes a clear violation of HIPAA regulations, which stipulate that access to protected health information (PHI) must be limited to authorized individuals who require the information for legitimate purposes (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2013).

The ethical principles guiding health information professionals include respect for patient autonomy, confidentiality, and integrity. By reading Henri’s records without a valid reason or patient consent, Shandra compromised these principles. Her action reflects a breach of professional ethics, which emphasizes honesty, accountability, and respect for patient rights (American Health Information Management Association [AHIMA], 2018). Such breaches can erode trust between patients and healthcare providers, damage the reputation of the healthcare organization, and lead to legal consequences that can include fines, penalties, and loss of licensure.

Legal consequences resulting from unauthorized access are well-documented. Under HIPAA, violations can result in civil and criminal penalties, including significant fines and imprisonment. For example, the Department of Justice (2020) reported cases where breach of confidentiality led to criminal charges and legal sanctions. Moreover, healthcare organizations face potential liability issues, especially if the breach results in harm or exposure of sensitive information.

The role of health information management (HIM) professionals extends beyond compliance with legislation; it encompasses fostering an ethical workplace culture that promotes integrity and respect for patient rights. To prevent such breaches, organizations should implement ongoing training programs that emphasize the importance of confidentiality, ethical responsibilities, and legal compliance (McPherson & Moulder, 2019). Regular audits of access logs can serve as deterrents and early indicators of unauthorized access, helping organizations to maintain compliance and protect patient information.

In addition to organizational measures, ethical decision-making frameworks can assist health professionals in navigating complex situations. The principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and respect for persons provide a moral compass for ethical practice (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). In the context of the scenario, a health information professional should prioritize safeguarding PHI and only access records when necessary, with a clear understanding of the potential consequences of breaches.

Furthermore, fostering an environment of accountability, transparency, and whistleblowing is essential to uphold ethical standards. Encouraging staff to report unethical behavior without fear of retaliation promotes accountability and continuous improvement within healthcare organizations (Nash, 2018). Leadership must also demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices by establishing clear policies, providing comprehensive training, and ensuring that violations are addressed promptly and appropriately.

From a biblical perspective, ethical principles such as honesty, integrity, and respect align with Christian teachings. Proverbs 12:22 (ESV) states, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” This underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in all aspects of life, including healthcare practice. Additionally, the Bible emphasizes the respect and value of others’ dignity, as reflected in Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” These principles reinforce the ethical duty to protect patient confidentiality and to act with honesty and humility in professional conduct.

In conclusion, Shandra’s unauthorized access to Henri Pioche’s health records exemplifies a breach of both legal and ethical standards that are designed to protect patient rights and maintain trust in healthcare. Organizations must implement robust policies, ongoing training, and a culture of ethical accountability to prevent such violations. Healthcare professionals are called to uphold principles of integrity, confidentiality, and respect, guided by both legal statutes like HIPAA and biblical principles rooted in honesty and humility. By adhering to these standards, healthcare entities can foster an environment of trust, respect, and ethical excellence that benefits patients and the broader community.

References

• American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). (2018). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.ahima.org
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Department of Justice. (2020). Health Care Fraud & Abuse Control Program annual report. U.S. Department of Justice.
• McPherson, M., & Moulder, B. (2019). Ethical standards for health information management professionals. Journal of AHIMA, 90(2), 32-37.
• Nash, M. A. (2018). Ethical leadership in health information management. Health Information Management Journal, 47(3), 142-148.
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2013). Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. https://www.hhs.gov
• English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Crossway Bibles.