Ethical Challenge in Mount Sinai Hospital - Essay Example

The quality of care availed to clients seeking medical attention and care in this institution is of utmost importance. The hospital staff ensures ethical considerations in evaluating, examining, and making healthcare-related resolutions geared towards the improvement of services. As it is common knowledge, being admitted to a hospital is no joke and is therefore hard and complicated for both the patient and family members. In consideration of these factors, observing and respecting the needs and requirements of the patients is important (Rosner, 2007). This paper describes ethical issues as a challenge to the Mount Sinai administration.

Rosner (2007) further asserts that before any treatment commences, it is important for health care practitioners administering care to ensure that all personal and medical information associated with and provided by the patient is treated with the utmost confidentiality. Certain well-established health institutions such as Mount Sinai further act as training institutions for students aspiring to become doctors as well as other practitioners. These institutions are also targeted by international bodies involved in conducting health-related research. In such cases, it is very difficult to maintain the confidentiality of patients’ information. This is one of the challenges that I faced with the administration at Mount Sinai Hospital. Furthermore, this has been rendered difficult by computerized healthcare systems that make it easier for individuals within the hospital. Nurses and other healthcare staff can easily access patients’ information through these systems and subsequently share it with third parties.

Maintaining confidentiality of patients’ health information is of utmost importance. There is certain information regarding a patient that can bring negative consequences. For instance, individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS are sometimes stigmatized. Making public the HIV status of an individual can therefore lead to stigmatization. Maintaining the confidentiality of patients’ records is regarded as beneficial as it avails or presents clients with safe and comfortable surroundings that encourage them to seek medical attention. It is very difficult for people to seek medical attention in a particular health institution if they are aware of the fact that their personal medical information will fall into the hands of the public. An individual is also likely to open up completely to a physician if s/he is sure that his/her medical information will be treated with utmost confidentiality (Title, 2000). It is also important to posit that confidentiality boosts the confidence of individuals seeking treatment and it is also a means of articulating value, admiration, and high opinions towards patients.
Extent and impact
Researchers have always inquired about patient’s information for methodical investigations every other day in this health institution. Students are always involved in the treatment and decision-making processes of patients’ care because it is the only way they can learn and gain medical experience. There are few cases where these learners and researchers have been involved in diverging private information regarding the patients either intentionally or unintentionally. Breach of confidentiality has its disadvantages or impacts. Physicians and other medical practitioners found guilty of breaching confidentiality in a court of law are punished and their medical license can be revoked. Patients are the entity most affected by this problem as they are directly affected.

The mission and vision of Mount Sinai Hospital is to offer universal and high-quality care to its patients. This is negatively affected by a breach of confidentiality as the rights of patients are affected. In addition, the total revenue of the hospital, in general, can be reduced because individuals in need of health care and attention are likely to choose services from hospitals that ensure ethics are considered (Appleby and Tarver, 2006).

The security of computerized medical records of patients should be ensured by limiting access by ensuring they are protected using a password (Title, 2000). Only individuals proved to be competent enough to ensure ethical guidelines are followed should be allowed to access them. Any information shared with third parties should only be done with the consent of the patient, or through an order from a court of law. Information presented for medical research should not bear the names of individuals or any information that would identify the patient.

In conclusion, maintaining and ensuring the confidentiality of patient’s medical information is important as it has many positive benefits. For instance, it reduces and eliminates the possibility of an individual being stigmatized and discriminated based on his or her health or well-being, and also boosts the confidence of individuals seeking treatment. Therefore, hospital administration must put into place plans of action and strategies that will ensure ethical considerations are ensured in the course of treating patients. Read More