BUS FPX 4121 Assessment 4 Operations, Technology, Data Security, and Ethics

Student Name

Capella University

BUS-FPX4121 Ethics in Health Care Management

Prof. Name:

Date

Introduction

Patient privacy is essential to maintaining compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and upholding ethical standards within healthcare settings. Breaches in protected health information (PHI) can lead to severe legal consequences and undermine trust between patients and healthcare providers. As a clinic, it is our ethical responsibility to ensure that patient data is safeguarded effectively. Recent incidents involving compromised patient data, stemming from deficiencies in our current software system, coupled with complaints regarding poor communication between our system, hospital networks, and other healthcare providers, underscore the urgency of upgrading our Health Information Technology (HIT) system. This proposal outlines the critical need for a system upgrade to strengthen patient care and maintain confidentiality (Bates et al., 2003; Laukka et al., 2020; Yen et al., 2017).

Proposal

This proposal recommends upgrading our existing HIT system to its latest version to address the current shortcomings. The upgrade aims to improve the security of patient health information, enhance system interoperability, and facilitate more effective communication with other healthcare entities. This proposal will examine the potential impacts of the upgrade and discuss the alternative approaches that can be explored to improve our system’s functionality and reliability.

Impact

The proposed HIT system upgrade offers several significant advantages. Primarily, it will enhance the security of patient data, ensuring that sensitive health information is better protected within our clinic. Additionally, it will improve the interoperability of our system, allowing seamless communication with external healthcare networks, which is crucial for efficient patient care. Such improvements will streamline processes like referrals, prescription management, and laboratory test coordination, minimizing errors and improving patient safety. The integration of online access to Electronic Health Records (EHR) will also empower patients, reduce anxiety, and minimize the risks of misunderstandings associated with handwritten medical notes. Furthermore, the upgraded EHR system will reduce human errors, ensure better data interpretation, and protect against unauthorized changes to medical records, all of which contribute to enhanced care quality (Bates et al., 2003; Sieck et al., 2020; Yen et al., 2017).

Issues

Failure to implement the proposed HIT system upgrade may result in several serious issues. Most notably, it could lead to ethical dilemmas, such as compromised patient safety and the misinterpretation of physician orders. Additionally, the continued vulnerability of patient health records could erode trust in our clinic. Non-compliance with HIPAA regulations due to inadequate security measures may also expose the organization to potential legal actions, including fines. Upholding patient confidentiality, trust, and rights is essential in maintaining the ethical standards that are the cornerstone of our clinic’s operations (Forrestal & Cellucci, 2016; Laukka et al., 2020).

Conclusion

The rapid advancement of healthcare technology necessitates continuous updates to ensure that systems remain effective and compliant with regulatory standards. Upgrading our HIT system to improve inter-system communication and data security is a crucial step in enhancing patient care. By ensuring the protection of sensitive health information and facilitating patient access to their records, we reinforce our commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare. This proactive approach will also minimize the risks of errors and communication failures, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes and stronger relationships with the communities we serve.

References

Bates, D. W., Ebell, M., Gotlieb, E., Zapp, J., & Mullins, H. C. (2003). A proposal for electronic medical records in U.S. primary care. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association: JAMIA, 10(1), 1-10.

Forrestal, E. J., & Cellucci, L. W. (2016). Ethics and professionalism for healthcare managers. Health Administration Press. Chapter 12.

Laukka, E., Huhtakangas, M., Heponiemi, T., & Kanste, O. (2020). Identifying the roles of healthcare leaders in HIT implementation: A scoping review of the quantitative and qualitative evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(8), 2865.

Morrison, E. E. (2020). Ethics in health administration: A practical approach for decision makers (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett. Chapters 8.