This case study relates the experience of Janet, a patient who, after presenting at the Emergency Department with severe abdominal pain was admitted to a ward for observation and treatment. I will discuss the following three pieces of legislation as relevant to her care: The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCAA), The Health and Disability Commissioner Act 1994 - Consumer Code of Rights (reviewed 2009) (the Code) and The Health and Information Privacy Code 1994 (HIPA). I will outline how the nurse acted in accordance with the Code of Ethics in regard to the principles of beneficence, autonomy and confidentiality and show how the legislation and ethical principles relate to Janet’s experience.
The HPCAA 2003 is a pivotal …show more content…
Under the HIPC Janet’s privacy is protected and her health information documentation is guaranteed to be held securely. Twelve rules are prescribed in the HIPC relating to the collection, use, sharing and storage of information and complaints procedures are freely available to all healthcare consumers. The HIPC is similar to the Privacy Act 1993 but is specific to the healthcare environment. (Office of the Privacy Commissioner, 2013). Nurses are exposed to privileged and sensitive information about patients, their lifestyles and family during the collection of that information and through patient contact. According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (2013) Janet must be assured and feel satisfied that this information will not be disclosed to anyone other than those necessary in the course of her treatment. This helps builds a trusting and therapeutic patient centred relationship. There will be occasions in the nurse’s career when the disclosure of information will be challenged, regardless of the situation, the law must always be strictly adhered …show more content…
Jenny can be seen to be acting ethically pertaining to the principal of beneficence, by doing what benefits Janet and her individual healthcare outcome. This can be achieved through the building of a professional relationship/partnership and must be approached with consideration to balancing the benefits of risk and harm and the patients’ right to autonomy. (NZO, 2010). Jenny demonstrates this by acting in a way that benefits Janet and at the same time protects her from harm by offering her the prescribed pain relief and by communicating openly and honestly in regard to her
The HPCAA 2003 is a pivotal …show more content…
Under the HIPC Janet’s privacy is protected and her health information documentation is guaranteed to be held securely. Twelve rules are prescribed in the HIPC relating to the collection, use, sharing and storage of information and complaints procedures are freely available to all healthcare consumers. The HIPC is similar to the Privacy Act 1993 but is specific to the healthcare environment. (Office of the Privacy Commissioner, 2013). Nurses are exposed to privileged and sensitive information about patients, their lifestyles and family during the collection of that information and through patient contact. According to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (2013) Janet must be assured and feel satisfied that this information will not be disclosed to anyone other than those necessary in the course of her treatment. This helps builds a trusting and therapeutic patient centred relationship. There will be occasions in the nurse’s career when the disclosure of information will be challenged, regardless of the situation, the law must always be strictly adhered …show more content…
Jenny can be seen to be acting ethically pertaining to the principal of beneficence, by doing what benefits Janet and her individual healthcare outcome. This can be achieved through the building of a professional relationship/partnership and must be approached with consideration to balancing the benefits of risk and harm and the patients’ right to autonomy. (NZO, 2010). Jenny demonstrates this by acting in a way that benefits Janet and at the same time protects her from harm by offering her the prescribed pain relief and by communicating openly and honestly in regard to her