Confidentiality is crucial in healthcare for various reasons. Crook (2013) describes confidentiality as “a duty of confidence: which arises when one person discloses information to another” (p.3). Patients depend on confidentiality amongst their physicians. A physician who offers confidentiality is likely to offer a trusting relationship with their patients. Failure to provide confidentiality may result in the loss of patients to a particular organization Additionally, patient information that ends up in the wrong hands can put patients at risk. Smith (2000) states in a recent survey 29% of the respondents reported a loss in personal privacy as a first or second concern. This is significant because items such as terrorism, world war, and global
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At my current organization the manager confirms that each employee completes his or her annual computer training modules. These modules include information regarding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and policies regarding identifying 2 patient identifiers. This policy states all healthcare personnel should verify two patient identifiers before proceeding with any patient to help protect their identity. Identifiers include name, date of birth, social security number, or address. Most commonly we use name and date of birth. Our manager also has the human resource manager attend annual meetings to discuss how we can increase patient confidentiality. Recently, it was decided patients charts should be placed face down in the chart holders. Although this makes it difficult for a physician to easily identify who is in that room, it protects the patient’s identity from others passing by. If a healthcare manager guarantees their employees are taking responsibility for protecting patients’ confidentiality, then it is less likely the information will be disclosed or the organization will experience a breach in
At my current organization the manager confirms that each employee completes his or her annual computer training modules. These modules include information regarding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and policies regarding identifying 2 patient identifiers. This policy states all healthcare personnel should verify two patient identifiers before proceeding with any patient to help protect their identity. Identifiers include name, date of birth, social security number, or address. Most commonly we use name and date of birth. Our manager also has the human resource manager attend annual meetings to discuss how we can increase patient confidentiality. Recently, it was decided patients charts should be placed face down in the chart holders. Although this makes it difficult for a physician to easily identify who is in that room, it protects the patient’s identity from others passing by. If a healthcare manager guarantees their employees are taking responsibility for protecting patients’ confidentiality, then it is less likely the information will be disclosed or the organization will experience a breach in