IT Clinical Entry, Essay Example

Although the increased use of information technology in clinical practice has afforded numerous innovations in providing care, it has also raised new privacy questions, particularly among patients, regarding the safety of their data. In trying to understand the benefits and safeguards implemented, one must have a firm understanding of HIPAA.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 established broad regulations for the use of patient information, particularly in the area of IT. For example, the general “privacy” rule in HIPAA prevents nurses from openly discussing cases with non-related personnel or accessing IT files of non-related patients (Flores & Dodier, 2005).  In addition, there are strict rules regarding how information must be entered into information technology systems and how ultimately servers are accessed.  Nurses need to be intimate with what information is protected by the act and how they ultimately access the information.

At the same time, patients may have questions regarding the ultimately privacy of systems stored on information systems.  While patients are typically given forms to sign regarding the use of personal information, the forms are often times dense and difficult to fully comprehend.  Nurses may serve as an important resource for patients who inquire regarding the safety and use of personal information.   If these questions are asked, nurses need to stress the robust mechanisms available for the patient in HIPAA, while also stressing that information is kept confidential (Cochran, 1999).  Since this issue might cause particular distress, patients should understand that if, even by accident, their information is inappropriately accessed, there are stiff fines.  In addition to HIPAA regulations, many medical providers may also provide an extra layer of protection for patients that include the ability to opt-out for certain medical information to be stored on servers.

References

Flores, J.A. & Dodier, A. (2005).  HIPAA: Past, Present, and Future Implications for Nurses.  Issues in Nursing.  10(2),

Cochran, M. (1999). The real meaning of patient-nurse confidentiality.  Critical Care Nursing Quarterly. 22(1), 42-51.