Learning Outcome #7

The BSN learning outcome #7 states, "Integrate professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct into the care of persons, families, groups, communities, and populations." I met this outcome by completing the nursing 4030 ethical dilemma discussion and the nursing 3400 discussion about HIPPA. 

Nursing 4030 Discussion: 

Ethical dilemmas are always challenging as nurses, especially when HIPPA and patient confidentiality are involved. For me, it is always hard to decide what to do because I can see both sides of the argument. In Tom’s case I can see why the nurse would want to keep it confidential, but I can also see why she would want to tell his supervisor. If I were in this situation I would have also chosen not to share the results of the toxicology screen. Beneficence would be the way I would go: advocate for and protect Tom. I would choose the route because HIPPA is clearly outlined and any violation of this code can be detrimental to the nurse. “HIPPA calls for protection and privacy of medical information including any information whether oral or recorded in any form or medium, that is created or received by a health care provider, health plan, public health authority, employer, life insurer, school or university, or health clearing house” (Smith, 2000). Although I wouldn’t share Tom’s results anyone, I would advise him to stop his behaviors and seek help.

Smith, S. P. (2000). Are you protecting your patients' confidentiality? Nursing Economics, 18(6), 294-297+. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/236931999?accountid=27045

Nursing 3400 Discussion: 

As nurses, privacy and confidentiality are crucial to our patients. Many patients don’t want certain people knowing their medical information; it is critical that we protect it. I had a patient that once had a friend that would continually call the hospital and say that she was his wife and was requesting his information. He had specifically stated that he did not want this woman getting any information. It was very important that didn’t give any information to this lady, and that we made sure the nurses on the floor knew about it. “The legal and ethical aspects associated with informatics are very complex and constantly changing” (Sewell, Thede, 2013). With new technology and electronic charting, protecting patient information can be complicated. As nurses, we have to make sure we are logging out of computers, and not giving our passwords away to anyone. Through HIPAA, we are required to keep patient information confidential. “HIPAA was enacted on August 21, 1996 to publicize standards for the electronic exchange, and privacy ad security of health information” (HIPAA, 2008). Through HIPAA we are required to keep our patients’ information confidential.

Sources:

HIPAA (2008). Summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Retrieved March 05, 2016, from http://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html

Sewell, J., & Thede, L. (2013). Informatics and Nursing: Opportunities and Challenges (4^th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Reflection: 
These discussions helped me meet the 7th learning outcome for the BSN program. The first discussion regarded HIPPA and that has everything to do with legal conduct relating the care of persons, families, groups, communities, and populations. The second discussion is also about HIPPA and protecting patients rights. This could possibly be the most important learning outcome for the BSN program just because it is so important to protect patient information. It is also important to conduct ourselves in a professional manner so patient trust us. I practice this learning outcome everyday in my nursing practice.