Special Functions Of Management: Assume That You Are The Man
Special Functions Of Managementassume That You Are The Manager In Your
Special functions of management. Assume that you are the manager in your chosen health care facility, Potomac Highland Guild, in Petersburg, West Virginia; in the medical records department. Your boss has asked you to assist him in preparing a talk to the other department employees on the most important ethical issues they might face in working in medical records. 1. Identify two of the biggest ethical issues that medical records employees may face, and discuss why these issues are so important to be aware of. 2. Be sure to provide a properly referenced rationale for your choices. words, APA format, at least two references (With in-body citations)
Paper For Above instruction
Effective management in healthcare settings necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the key ethical issues that professionals may face, particularly in sensitive departments such as medical records. As the manager of the medical records department at Potomac Highland Guild in Petersburg, West Virginia, it is essential to prepare staff for the ethical challenges inherent in their roles. This paper discusses two pivotal ethical concerns: patient confidentiality and data security, and the ethical implications surrounding data accuracy and integrity.
Patient Confidentiality and Data Security
One of the most critical ethical issues confronting medical records employees is the preservation of patient confidentiality. Healthcare professionals have an ethical obligation, grounded in principles such as respect for autonomy and trust, to protect patient information from unauthorized access or disclosure. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA, 1996) codifies these obligations, establishing strict standards for safeguarding Protected Health Information (PHI). Breaches of confidentiality not only violate legal statutes but also damage patient trust, which can deter individuals from seeking care or disclosing sensitive information necessary for effective treatment (McGraw, 2009).
In the context of medical records management, employees must be vigilant in controlling access to records. Mishandling or accidental disclosures can lead to severe legal consequences and harm patients' reputations and privacy. Ethical awareness surrounding confidentiality is fundamental because it fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers, underpinning the entire healthcare system’s integrity (Gordian, 2007). Employees must adhere to protocols and be trained to recognize and prevent potential breaches, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality as both an ethical and legal mandate.
Data Accuracy and Integrity
Another significant ethical issue is ensuring the accuracy and integrity of medical records. Accurate documentation is vital for delivering effective patient care, supporting legal processes, and facilitating healthcare operations. Ethically, healthcare professionals are obliged to maintain truthful and precise records, as inaccuracies can lead to misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatments, or adverse health outcomes (Hood, 2009).
From an ethical perspective, falsification or alteration of medical records violates principles of honesty and accountability. It can also undermine trust in healthcare institutions and lead to legal repercussions for individuals and organizations involved. Ensuring data integrity involves rigorous verification processes, timely updates, and an organizational culture that values transparency. The ethical obligation to maintain accurate records aligns with the core medical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence, which mandate acting in the best interests of patients and avoiding harm (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013).
Conclusion
In conclusion, confidentiality and data security, along with data accuracy and integrity, represent two of the most pressing ethical issues faced by medical records employees. Addressing these concerns is essential to uphold legal standards, protect patient rights, and maintain the trust integral to effective healthcare delivery. As a manager, fostering ethical awareness and adherence among staff through training and clear policies is paramount to safeguarding the integrity of the medical records department and ensuring exemplary ethical standards.
References
- Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Gordian, M. (2007). Medical confidentiality and privacy. Journal of Medical Ethics, 33(9), 558–562.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 104-191, 110 Stat. 1936.
- Hood, L. (2009). Ensuring data integrity in clinical records: Ethical considerations. Medical Record Review, 21(3), 112–118.
- McGraw, D. (2009). Building public trust in secure health information exchange: a report to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. Journal of Healthcare Management, 54(4), 226–232.