The Appropriate Use Of Technology In Healthcare Discussion

The Appropriate Use Of Technology In Healthcare Discussion

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You receive a message from a peer at work that there is a big investigation being conducted at work due to a HIPAA violation and that it involved a celebrity who had been admitted to the hospital. As a case manager for the hospital you are given a company cell phone for hospital use because you are on call three days per week. You have pictures of this celebrity you took the other day. The word is that legal action is being taken against the hospital due to some photos that were sold to the Gossip Gazette. They ask to search your company cell phone.a. Introduction – 40 points/17%
• Catches attention of the reader
• States purpose of the paper The Appropriate Use Of Technology In Healthcare Discussion

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• Provides a narrative outline of the paper (i.e., the assignment criteria)
b. HIPAA, Legal, and Regulatory Discussion – 40 points/17%
• Presents evidence from recent scholarly publications to address the impact of technology on nursing care related to:
• Patient privacy and HIPAA standards
• Healthcare regulations
• Legal guidelines on appropriate use of technology
c. Scenario Ending and Recommendations – 50 points/21%
• Selects and presents one scenario ending as the focus of the assignment.
• Evaluates the actions taken by healthcare providers as the situation evolved.
• Recommends actions that could have been taken to mitigate the circumstances presented in the selected scenario ending.
• Supports recommendations with evidence from recent scholarly publications.
d. Advantages and Disadvantages – 50 points/21%
• Presents evidence from recent scholarly publications to address the impact of technology on nursing care related to:
• The advantages of appropriately using technology in healthcare
• Risks of technology use in healthcare
• Describes professional and ethical principles guiding the appropriate use of technology in healthcare. The Appropriate Use Of Technology In Healthcare Discussion
e. Conclusion and Reflections – 30 points/12%
• Summarizes what new information was learned by completing this assignment.
• Reflects on how this new knowledge will impact future behavior as a healthcare professional.
f. Scholarly Writing and APA Format – 30 points/12%
• Paper submitted as a Microsoft Word document.
• Adheres to current APA formatting guidelines including proper use of:
• Title page
• Page numbers
• Length is 4-5 pages, excluding title and reference pages.
• Includes at least three (3) references that are:
• From recent (within the last 5 years) scholarly sources
• Cited in text appropriately
• Included on an APA formatted reference page
• Scholarly writing reflects:
• Accurate spelling
• Correct use of professional grammar
• Logical organization of thoughts (mechanics) The Appropriate Use Of Technology In Healthcare Discussion

1. Introduction

Many changes are taking place in the world due to technological advancements. Drawing from this, the healthcare industry is experiencing significant changes and advancements with the use of technology, with the use of cell phones, the internet and many other digital devices becoming the order of the day (Booth et al., 2021). As healthcare providers, it is important to understand the implications of technology on patient privacy, healthcare regulations, and legal guidelines. Carayon and Hoonakker (2019) have explained that this means staff members, especially those in close contact with patients, should be very careful of how they use these gadgets in their interactions. Importantly, clinical practitioners must recognize the rules and regulations that are in place to govern these technology-based devices. In this paper, a detailed exploration is done on the case presented whereby a celebrity sues the provider for unauthorized sharing of personal and private photos of them in the hospital. In particular, the healthcare provider is asked to search their company cell phone due to a HIPAA violation that involved a celebrity patient. Given this, this paper aims to discuss the impact of technology on nursing care, evaluate the actions taken by healthcare providers, recommend actions that could have been taken to mitigate the situation and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using technology in healthcare. The Appropriate Use Of Technology In Healthcare Discussion

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1. HIPAA, Legal, and Regulatory Discussion

Carayon and Hoonakker (2019) have written an article discussing HIPAA and, specifically, the regulations that govern the conduct and operations of healthcare providers and clinical staff. The researchers have found that patient privacy and HIPAA standards are paramount in the healthcare industry. Even more, technology in healthcare poses a significant threat to patient privacy if not used appropriately. One key among these is hand-held digital devices such as smartphones. Recent scholarly publications by authors like Reynolds, Stack and Bonfield (2019): Mbonihankuye, Nkunzimana and Ndagijimana (2019) have highlighted the need for healthcare providers to be educated on the appropriate use of technology to protect patient privacy and comply with HIPAA standards. These organizations also recognize that a failure by staff to follow the set rules presents major risks to the organization and individual staff members. Mbonihankuye, Nkunzimana and Ndagijimana (2019) highlighted that healthcare regulations such as HIPAA are in place to protect patient privacy and confirm that healthcare providers are following ethical guidelines. Legal guidelines on the appropriate use of technology are also in place to ensure that healthcare providers are not violating patient privacy. Recent scholarly publications have highlighted the importance of healthcare providers being aware of these regulations and guidelines to avoid legal action The Appropriate Use Of Technology In Healthcare Discussion.

III. Scenario Ending and Recommendations

In the scenario presented, the healthcare provider is asked to search their company cell phone due to a HIPAA violation that involved a celebrity patient. Perhaps unintentionally, the staff member in question probably took the photos of the celebrity to utilize them during their duties. However, because they are allowed to carry these cell phones at home, the photos found their way into the hands of a third party deliberately or by accident. Regardless of how in which these photos found their way to the third party and exposed to unintended audience, the healthcare provider should have immediately reported the violation to their supervisor. More importantly, healthcare providers should be aware that they are unauthorized to take pictures of anyone, let alone celebrities, without their consent.

To mitigate the situation, healthcare providers should be trained and educated on the appropriate and recommended use of technology and patient privacy (Booth et al., 2021). The providers should also be trained to report any HIPAA violations to their supervisors to try and arrest situations when they arise and before they get out of hand. What’s more, healthcare providers should be educated on the legal guidelines regarding the appropriate use of technology.

1. Advantages and Disadvantages

The use of technology in healthcare has numerous advantages, such as improved patient outcomes, increased efficiency, and improved communication among healthcare providers. The use of technology in healthcare has transformed how patient care is delivered. For example, electronic health records (EHRs) have made it easier for healthcare providers to access patient information, reducing the risk of errors and improving patient outcomes. In addition to this, the use of telemedicine has enabled patients in remote locations to receive medical care from healthcare providers in other locations, increasing access to healthcare. There are also the wearable devices that can track patient health data and provide alerts to healthcare providers, allowing for early intervention and prevention of health problems. The use of technology has increased efficiency in healthcare a primary example being the electronic prescribing capabilities. This has reduced medication errors and improved the accuracy of medication orders. Automated appointment reminders reduce no-show rates and optimize patient schedules and digital health platforms have made it easier for patients to access their health information, communicate with healthcare providers, and manage their health (Booth et al., 2021)The Appropriate Use Of Technology In Healthcare Discussion. While these advantages have positively impacted healthcare, there are risks associated with technology use. Some common examples include data breaches, unauthorized access to patient information, and violations of patient privacy. According to Carayon and Hoonakker (2019), the use of technology in healthcare has undoubtedly improved patient care, but it also comes with several risks. A primary risk that healthcare organizations face is the potential for data breaches. Data breaches happen from time to time and when they do happen they result in the loss, theft, or exposure of sensitive patient information. In their discussion on the issue of technology impacts on healthcare, Carayon and Hoonakker (2019) have commented that the increasing use of technology in healthcare has improved patient care and efficiency, but it has also introduced new risks for example data breaches. Further into their analysis, the researchers have mentioned that healthcare data is incredibly valuable to cybercriminals because it contains sensitive information such as personal and medical details, financial information, and insurance data. Drawing from this, a data breach in healthcare has severe consequences such as identity theft, medical fraud, and financial losses. According to Carayon and Hoonakker (2019), data breaches occur due to various reasons. Common among these are human error, inadequate security measures, and malicious attacks like hacking and phishing. The consequences of a data breach are far-reaching, and damage the reputation of healthcare providers and erode patients’ trust. What’s more, healthcare providers face significant financial penalties and lawsuits for data breaches. With all these factors considered, healthcare providers must prioritize data security and implement robust security measures to protect patient information. For example, they should provide regular training of staff on data security, implementing strong passwords, encryption, and firewalls, and monitoring for suspicious activity. It is crucial to certify that patients’ personal and medical information remains confidential and secure, and healthcare providers must take proactive steps to mitigate the risk of data breaches.

Another risk associated with technology use in healthcare is the unauthorized access to patient information. Healthcare providers must adhere to strict regulations regarding patient privacy, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Even with these regulations in place, however, there have been instances where employees have accessed patient records without permission. With all these in mind, it is important for healthcare providers to be aware of these risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. It is crucial for the professional and ethical principles to guide the appropriate use of technology in healthcare to ensure patient privacy is protected The Appropriate Use Of Technology In Healthcare Discussion.

1. Conclusion and Reflections

In the final analysis, the appropriate use of technology in healthcare is critical in promoting patient privacy. It is important that patients’ privacy is protected and healthcare regulations are followed. Healthcare providers should be educated on the appropriate use of technology and trained on how to report HIPAA violations. The advantages and disadvantages of technology use should be considered, and professional and ethical principles should guide the appropriate use of technology in healthcare. As a healthcare professional, it is important to continue to educate oneself on the appropriate use of technology in healthcare and take appropriate measures to protect patient privacy. Research has shown that as technology continues to advance and become more integrated into healthcare, healthcare professionals must stay informed and educated on its appropriate use. Part of this involves understanding the potential benefits and risks associated with technology like electronic health records, telemedicine, and mobile health applications.

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References

Booth, R. G., Strudwick, G., McBride, S., O’Connor, S., & López, A. L. S. (2021). How the nursing profession should adapt for a digital future. bmj, 373. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1190

Carayon, P., & Hoonakker, P. (2019). Human factors and usability for health information technology: old and new challenges. Yearbook of medical informatics, 28(01), 071-077. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-1677907

Mbonihankuye, S., Nkunzimana, A., & Ndagijimana, A. (2019). Healthcare data security technology: HIPAA compliance. Wireless communications and mobile computing, 2019, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/1927495

Reynolds, R. A., Stack, L. B., & Bonfield, C. M. (2019). Medical photography with a mobile phone: useful techniques, and what neurosurgeons need to know about HIPAA compliance. Journal of neurosurgery, 132(1), 260-264. https://doi.org/10.3171/2018.8.JNS182075 The Appropriate Use Of Technology In Healthcare Discussion