Ethical Aspects of Healthcare - Essay Example

Health Care Ethics Ethics has at all times, played an important role in health care management. Analysts argue that without ethics in health care, there is a likelihood that patients will end up having no basis of proper care and protection in the health care systems. It is as a result of a dire need for patient protection, that health care ethics were devised and are followed to the letter. In regard to patient’s privacy, it is the responsibility of the health practitioners to ensure that patients’ personal information is well safeguarded and that, patients enjoy freedom of security of information. McWay (2010) argues that, it is the sole responsibility of the health practitioners to ensure that all manner of information that relate to the patients’ background information is concealed. Studies indicate that maintaining confidentiality is one of the best antidotes towards a successful healing process of the client. This is in relation to the fact that, clients feel completely relaxed and secure while disclosing information that relates to their medical predicaments. In cases where clients have had nasty experiences with nurses or any other health practitioners, who disclose their medical conditions, such patients were recorded to conceal crucial information, that would otherwise contribute a great mile towards their healing process. This is an interpretation of great tasks that, health practitioners have to undertake in an attempt not only to safeguard their jobs, but also, to make patients’ healing process trouble-free. This essay shall highlight the importance of safeguarding patients’ information by the health practitioners. The essay shall also attempt to undertake a study on the ethical and legal implications of breaching the terms and conditions of health care ethics, that works on the basis of safeguard of patient’s information. On a personal opinion, all forms of information that relate to patients must be regarded as private and confidential. Fundamentally, all persons that are linked to the patients’ medical life must be made aware of the fact that, it is their duty to ensure that patients feel confident and comfortable in the course of therapy. Albert (2002) argues that patients’ medical history must be upheld with utmost respect and privacy. In his work, he continues to argue that, if there arises a need for disclosure of information on the patients’ medical history, the patient has the right to be aware of the kind of information being portrayed to any other parties. Once patients feel comfortable, studies indicate that majority tend to disclose information, which ultimately leads to quick and certain medication by the medical practitioners. Disclosure and maintenance of patients’ medical background information, as health care ethics, involves protection and impositions by law. Harman (2006) indicates, that a great percentage of health practitioners are aware of the fact, that patients have a right to file law suits incase they feel that, their rights are infringed by medical physicians. In the context of revealing information, other than committing suicide by the client, patients have a right to demand for explanations in regard to infringing on their privacy in other contexts. Analysts believe that in such instances, there is no exception; the health practitioner has to compensate the patient or offer tangible explanations on the reasons behind their actions. However, studies indicate that in such cases, patients end up taking the case. This is an interpretation of the weightiness of this health care ethic. At times, health practitioners are at a risk of losing their jobs over disclosure of patients’ information, especially in cases where health practitioners have no tangible evidence on their actions. There have been numerous arguments on protection of patients’ information as legally binding. In any case, McWay (2010) indicates that over the years, courts of law are always inclined towards ethical compulsions to make final decisions on legal cases. Other analysts argue that, upholding patients’ confidentiality is not only an ethical responsibility but also, a legal duty of all stakeholders in the medical ‘world’ of patients. In the United States of America, for instance, the supreme law clearly indicates that, medical practitioners are responsible for all kinds of information that relate to the patients’ medical background information. All health practitioners are aware of their responsibility to ensure; that their patients are well informed in case any kind of information has to be displayed to any other party except the patient and the physician. All cases that relate to confidentiality issues have a long history of patients having their way, at times huge compensations on the patients. With the transformations in the health care systems, easy retrieval of patients’ information by other parties has become an uphill task. Contemporary health care systems are characterized by computerized data systems that, increase efficiency and effectiveness in the health care systems. With the advent of technological data systems, it has become extremely difficult for other interloper parties to access information that relates to patients. Contemporary analysts on the field of healthcare ethics indicate that, the levels of trust between patients and health practitioners have increased tremendously with proper management of information relating to patients’ medical history. With precise information on inevitability for successful patient therapy, it is apparent that patients’ security in terms of confidentiality in their medical information is upheld. Once secure, patients need not demand for record of certain information over other forms. Information, in this context, therefore needs to be a major priority in administration of therapy to patients. Albert (2002) argues that information; either oral, in print or electronic add up to patient confidentiality. It is through this information that, medical practitioners make decisions on the medical undertakings on the patient. Whether the information on patients is used for purposes of discerning the bill to be paid, or recording statistics on patients; managers must ensure that this information is undisclosed. Patients have a right to claim confirmation on the kind of information that is displayed to other people. Patients also should have access to all copies that entail their medical records as well as demand for the methodology used to conceal all information that pertain to their health status. In addition, patients should also be made aware of their right and opportunity to make changes on their health testimonials, when need arises. In this context, I am warranted to argue that management of patient information regarding to their medical background, must be upheld by all medical practitioners. On personal grounds, there is no individual that can conform to the fact that their personal information is used on grounds of research or in any other manner. In light to this argument, all patients must be presented with a form of agreement, that entails the terms of information disclosure if need be. In this case, if the persons requiring patients’ information do not put up with the terms stipulated, the patients must stop at nothing until the management of the hospital compensates them. Patients must also be given prior notice to the disclosure of information in the medical facility. It should be emphasized that, if patients do not agree to the deal on disclosure of information regarding their medical status, the management of the health facility must not coerce the patient towards signing of documents. In the situation whereby payments require patients’ medical history, negligible information should be disclosed. Management of patients’ medical history is, therefore, among the many health care ethics that should be considered with a lot of caution and stress. Harman (2006) indicates that protection of patients’ confidentiality remains a very important ethical issue in the health care. Patients’ confidentiality must be upheld by all health practitioners at all times. I believe in confidentiality of information disclosed by patients to health practitioners. If information is disclosed to a third party, this is an indication of physicians committing a breach of patients’ privacy. Analysts argue that disclosure of information may be in any form; by word of mouth, written. The major issue is that patients’ are not informed of the relay of information to a third party. In this context, therefore, legal measures can be applied to solve the conflict between the involved parties. The legal implications of breaching patients’ discretion are considered more intense than the ethical repercussions. Analysts argue that, most practitioners do not follow the rules and regulations of health care ethics, from the belief that breaching of ethical rules do not have intense ramification unlike legal regulations. In this context, therefore, legal implications on health practitioners who breach patients’ confidentiality has been emphasized to the health practitioners. The government of US has for a long time been given credit for ensuring that patients are protected, as well as, information that relates to their medical status. Such crucial information includes HIV test results, rehabilitation information, records that relate to mental status of patients amongst others. McWay (2010) argues that, it is important all health practitioners embrace the fact that, ethical issues must be adhered to in health fields. Protection of patients’ medical information is no exception. Health practitioners must hold the perception that, it is their responsibility to make patients have an easier time under the care of health practitioners. This begins from making patients feel safe while undergoing therapy by making them feel safe in the event of disclosing information to the physicians. The rule on release of patients’ information works on the basis that patients must be given prior information that relates to disclosure of their personal medical record. Once the patients authorize release of information through their attorneys, employers, next of kin or any other representative, the physician enjoys the privilege of disclosure of information. However, it is important that, physicians are enlightened on the parties that are likely to act as patients’ representatives. Through this, there is minimal likelihood that conflicts may arise between the physicians and patients. Physicians must be aware of the fact that, in some states, only specific groups of people should be allowed to have information relating to patients. Physicians must always be cautious of who accesses information on their patients’ medical status. In the event of leaking of information that, relates to patients, Albert (2002) argues that physicians are no exception to answering cases that relate to leaking of patients’ information. According to Harman (2006), specific aspects of the patients’ information are released to third parties. Physicians should be enlightened on these aspects so as, to be on the safe side with the law. Such information is inclusive of the name of the patient, attending physicians’ address, a detailed description of the data to be released as well as time span in which the data being displayed has to be displayed to other people. Conclusively, safeguarding information that relates to patients has been in existence for a very long period of time. From the discussion, it is justified to argue that a majority of the physicians have ignored the fact that, patient confidentiality is a right that patients must exercise at all times. According to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), patients are advised to exercise their right to be informed and enjoy their rights to have security, in terms of information on their medical history. This act also ensures that patients’ security is protected; even in electronic data systems. The whole process of managing data in health centers may seem extremely challenging. Despite all factors that may seem to hinder effective management of information, it is the sole responsibility of the managers to ensure that all processes of saving data are accurate. With proper data management, the management of health facilities will be in a position to trace who accesses data and for what reasons. Managers will also monitor the process of data dissemination in an easier way, if the information is well managed in the health facility. All health practitioners must be very conscious while dealing with patients’ medical history. It is important, that the management of health facilities ensure that, there is a proper process instituted, that deals with monitoring information that is disseminated to all stakeholders of the health facility. It is advisable that all departments in health facilities conduct reviews on categorization of information regarding their patients. The basis of categorization must relate to sensitivity and susceptibility of information. Internal reviews of an organization decrease the likelihood of losing data or exposure of information to the mistaken people. In this context, therefore, patients and physicians enjoy a peaceful working condition. Patients, on one hand, feel safe that, information that relate to their health status is safe as well as, enjoy excellent rapport with the physicians. On the other hand, physicians will be in a better position to discern the best medical prescriptions for their patients, as patients are comfortable disclosing information to the doctors. References Albert, D. (2002). A physician's guide to health care management. New York: Wiley-Blackwell. Harman, B. (2006). Ethical challenges in the management of health information. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning. McWay, D.C. (2010). Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Information Management, 3rd ed. Clifton Park: Cengage Learning. Read More