The use of smartphones and computer tablets are fast becoming commonplace in healthcare organizations and schools of nursing. Nurses, students, physicians and other providers are using these devices to enhance their practice, improve patient care and outcomes and ease cumbersome and outdated methods of communication. However, smartphone and tablet use is raising serious questions as to potential legal and ethical issues and how well prepared providers are in regards to policy and procedures. Technological advancements, including the electronic medical record, have created new legal and ethical concerns related to security and privacy issues. Because nursing professionals must abide by the HealthInsurance Portability and Accountability Act
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Texting also streamlines traditional communication through pagers and call-backs that hospitals, physicians and nurses have used for many years. However, texting may be non-secure unless using an encrypted or secure program, and non-compliant with safety and privacy regulations under HIPPA. Messages sent may be readable by anyone, can be forwarded to anyone, are often unencrypted, remain forever, and are often unauthenticated or verified they were sent and received by the right individuals. It is because of these safety and privacy concerns that the Joint Commission has taken action to ban physicians from using smartphones and related devices when messages contain electronic protected health information unless protected. It should be noted the Joint Commission didnot ban all text messaging but established Administrative Simplification Provisions (AS) to serve as guidelines to develop secure communication systems . There are several secure texting programs for smart phones and tablets such as the physician created HIPPOmsg and TigerText programs used by physicians, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and more. What may be challenging for healthcare professionals is determining when smartphone use is appropriate and when it is …show more content…
While the practice is worthy, it may raise concerns to employees, patients and families as it is perceived as students texting personal content and or surfing the internet. Smartphones and tablets are wonderful and useful devices and their presence in healthcare can be a great asset, but there are also legal and ethical issues that must be considered if smartphones and tablets are to be used successfully in the work environment. We know that texting and the implementation of tablets within healthcare organizations are a growing trend and probably will continue to gain popularity in use over time. However, there are good reasons for the use of texting in healthcare. Proper texting can be safer and reduce errors in communication that may occur in a busy, noisy nursing station or other environments where individuals cannot hear correctly or when a language barrier/ accent exist. If organizations are going to implement the use of smartphones and tablets, policies and procedures must be in place to inform and protect the user and the patients. In addition, it is recommended the policies routinely be reviewed by executives, risk management and legal counsel to ensure adequate coverage and to ensure appropriate implementation. Another suggestion is the use of password protection phones/tablets to secure confidential
Texting also streamlines traditional communication through pagers and call-backs that hospitals, physicians and nurses have used for many years. However, texting may be non-secure unless using an encrypted or secure program, and non-compliant with safety and privacy regulations under HIPPA. Messages sent may be readable by anyone, can be forwarded to anyone, are often unencrypted, remain forever, and are often unauthenticated or verified they were sent and received by the right individuals. It is because of these safety and privacy concerns that the Joint Commission has taken action to ban physicians from using smartphones and related devices when messages contain electronic protected health information unless protected. It should be noted the Joint Commission didnot ban all text messaging but established Administrative Simplification Provisions (AS) to serve as guidelines to develop secure communication systems . There are several secure texting programs for smart phones and tablets such as the physician created HIPPOmsg and TigerText programs used by physicians, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and more. What may be challenging for healthcare professionals is determining when smartphone use is appropriate and when it is …show more content…
While the practice is worthy, it may raise concerns to employees, patients and families as it is perceived as students texting personal content and or surfing the internet. Smartphones and tablets are wonderful and useful devices and their presence in healthcare can be a great asset, but there are also legal and ethical issues that must be considered if smartphones and tablets are to be used successfully in the work environment. We know that texting and the implementation of tablets within healthcare organizations are a growing trend and probably will continue to gain popularity in use over time. However, there are good reasons for the use of texting in healthcare. Proper texting can be safer and reduce errors in communication that may occur in a busy, noisy nursing station or other environments where individuals cannot hear correctly or when a language barrier/ accent exist. If organizations are going to implement the use of smartphones and tablets, policies and procedures must be in place to inform and protect the user and the patients. In addition, it is recommended the policies routinely be reviewed by executives, risk management and legal counsel to ensure adequate coverage and to ensure appropriate implementation. Another suggestion is the use of password protection phones/tablets to secure confidential