Adminstrative Ethics and Patient Privacy - Research Paper Example

?Administrative Ethics and Patient Privacy Task: Administrative Ethics and Patient Privacy Summary Overview This paper is going to discuss how administrative ethics, values, beliefs, perceptions, and their interconnection. Furthermore, in the issue statement the discussion dwells on the current administrative ethics that are affecting patient privacy and rights (Cooper, 2011). These include trust and confidentiality among others. However, in the issue discussion, the paper aims at understanding recent ethical problems from different perspectives. In conclusion, it supports the concept of penalizing violators of patient privacy. In addition, different forms of thinking used in this paper are also discussed. In summary, similar to any other right, patient privacy is extremely fundamental thus deserves respect. Introduction In administrative ethics, beliefs are described as an acceptance that the administration and the staff people perceive at the hospital as truth or reality to private privacy. It may also include a conviction or opinion that is steadfastly held by the staff involved. Values, on the other hand, are the significant beliefs or attitudes, which people acknowledge by choice, pride or articulate in action with a sense of responsibility and ownership towards patient privacy. Similarly, perception involves the selection, organization and interpretation of sensory data in a form that enables us to understand the world patients and their privacy. Perception can also be the way people interpret outside events and experiences into sensible internal comprehension. Alternatively, administrative ethics involves the principles of right and wrong that determine the roles and functions of administration officers. On that note, it should involve responsibility to the society, virtues, principles, and benefits that assist the patient in safeguarding his privacy (Bruce, 2001). Ethics can also be the internal regulations that push a person to obey or not obey certain external facts. Therefore, what is the link between beliefs, values, perception and ethics in administrative matters and patient privacy? In this aspect, the general beliefs people have toward administrative ethics and the privacy of patients is what generates to various values. However, ethics is the perception of people toward these values in a setting such as a hospital and they relate to the privacy of patients. Ethical action according to me is the method of realizing a problem, producing substitutes and selecting among them in order for the substitute chosen to capitalize on the most significant ethical values. Additionally, the substitute selected is also meant to achieve the intended goal (Kaner, 2011). Therefore, in my view, the most important beliefs and customs in consideration of behavior pertaining to patient privacy are several. For instance, medical practitioners involved in the administrative ethics of patient privacy should have an open mind, which makes them unbiased towards their patients. In addition, their personal convictions should have ethical basis, which do not end up affecting the trust of the patients. Issue Statement Various contemporary administrative ethics are applicable in different organizational settings. For instance, there are positive issues such as honesty, fairness and integrity that have an effect on patient privacy. On the other hand, there are negative issues in the form of lying, abusive or intimidating behavior, bribery, corporate intelligence and discrimination. However, in this case, we are going to discuss the administrative ethical issue of discrimination in relation to breach of a patient’s privacy. Discrimination as a form of negative ethical issue is the prejudice against a person on the grounds of color, disability, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, public assistance status and age among others (Abele, 2004). These forms of prejudice go at betraying the trust and confidentiality of the patient leading to gross violation of rights and freedoms. So, why do administrative officers decide to discriminate against patients based on above-mentioned prejudices? In that perspective, there are numerous reasons. For example, there is conflict of interests that involves a person promoting her own interests, instead of that of the company. This always comes in the form of payments or discrimination toward the patient, which may result, to discrimination. Similarly, what can generate to a conflict of interest from a professional medical practitioner in safeguarding the privacy of a patient? This may because of a third party who may be under obligation to receive intimate information about a patient regardless of whether the patient agrees or not. There is also the situation where a doctor is compelled by his institution of work to perform a physical examination on a patient at the interest of the institution. This always arises without a proper doctor-patient relationship. Alternatively, the facility still expects the doctor to uphold the interests of the patient without any violations irrespective of the informal relationship (Bruce, 2001). Issue Discussion However, it is noteworthy to observe that administrative ethics affects both the medical practitioner and the patient. However, it is the patient who is worst affected due to breach of confidentiality by administration officers who are mandated to guard their privacy. Therefore, it is imperative to list the various administrative ethical issues that interfere with patient privacy (Kaner, 2011). For example, there are matters of confidentiality, restraints, trust issues, refusing to provide health care and of end-of-life issues. All these, when perpetrated by administrative officers, may lead to a violation of the patient’s privacy. However, in our case, I will take the ethical issue of confidentiality. Patient confidentiality can be described as the method by which information of a patient is shared and divulged in a limited manner. Similarly, the corner stone of medical ethical practice involve maintaining confidentiality as stipulated in the Oath of Hippocrates (Abele, 2004). For instance, the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) passed in 1996 stresses upon various medical facilities to design procedures and policies that safeguard patient privacy. On this note, (HIPAA) Act requires medical facilities to implement the following in regards to protecting a patient’s privacy. According to administrative ethics, a patient’s information should not be shared by anybody except authorized health officials. This means the data in the computer should be well secured from unauthorized logging that can interfere with confidential information of a patient. In addition, when applying the administrative ethics, the hospital facility control information being sent through e-mails especially those belonging to patients. This is to avoid unnecessary manipulation of private information that leads to discrimination of patient privacy. Furthermore, the information of a patient should always remain confidential and not discussed with any other person except fellow medical practitioners, privately. Apart from the above requirements, there is also the Final Rules or Privacy Rule, which was given by DHHS and became operational in 2003. It forbids rights of entry into the personal medical record of patient in a computer system, other than reasons such as operations, reimbursement and health care delivery. Additionally, it set boundaries and limits on the manipulation of a patient’s information for marketing (Abele, 2004). Therefore, contraventions of the privacy rule are liable to civil or criminal penalties. Similarly, Health care facilities are mandated to grant notice to patients explaining the manner in which the facility will manipulate or divulge the patient health care information (PHI). I can thus say my perspective concerning privacy of a patient matches with the ethical principles I selected and read. This is because according to the (HIPAA) Act, the privacy of a patient is his fundamental right that should be strictly upheld in which failure leads to severe prosecution. Conclusion In conclusion, values, ethics, beliefs and perception are all interconnected in the influence of administrative ethics and patient privacy. In addition, several contemporary ethical issues affect various institutions such as schools, hospitals and organizations. These include fairness, integrity conflict of interests, fraud, and bribery among others. Furthermore, other unethical administrative issues that affects patient privacy such as confidentiality, trust issues, restraint, refusing to providing health care and end of life issues. Similarly, patient privacy is protected by (HIPAA) Act failure to which one is liable to civil or criminal penalty. All these when upheld by administrative authorities will go at safeguarding patient rights (Cooper, 2011). Reflection I used various thinking strategies during the research. For instance, there is the skills form of approach that involves effectiveness, precision and speed in thinking. Additionally, I used the disposition approach that engages the mind in open-mindedness, depth and systematic thinking method. Lastly, in order to comprehend the connection between knowledge and understanding of patient privacy and ethics, I applied the understanding type of approach (Kaner, 2011). On that note, the most beneficial thinking strategy for me was the skills and understanding type of approach in the completion of various tasks involving patient privacy. Similarly, I may use the disposition approach in exploring the depths of problem solving and open-mindedness in completion of tasks of patient privacy and ethics. However, in school I use the various forms of research in completing tasks. For instance, there are the exploratory, causal and descriptive research designs. Similarly, the disposition approach of thinking works best for me in conducting research and producing quality results. Alternatively, to ensure the production of quality work product based on ethics and patient privacy, I use interviews and secondary materials. This is because they are reliable and effective in formulating quick decisions (Cooper, 2011). On that aspect, the thing I would change in writing my research paper is to limit the use of causal method of research. Furthermore, by reflecting on the process I use in completion of tasks helps me in several ways. For example, I am able to make a sound decision that appeal to the patient privacy and production of quality work. Finally, critical thinking in relational to ethical behavior of patient privacy may be significant to my personal, professional and educational development in the form of effective decision-making. References Abele, J. (2004). Medical errors and litigation: investigation and case preparation. Tucson, AZ: Lawyers and Judges Publishing Company. Bruce, M. (2001). Classics of administrative ethics. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Cooper, T. (2011). The Responsible Administrator: An Approach to Ethics for the Administrative Role. New Jersey, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Kaner, S. (2011). Facilitator's Guide to Participatory Decision-Making. New Jersey, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Read More