Use of Personal Communication Devices in Patient Care Settings

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The following patient confidentiality guidelines might be at jeopardy in this situation:

Legal principle: Healthcare practitioners are required by law to protect patient confidentiality in several jurisdictions. Without sufficient consent or a valid purpose, disclosing a patient’s medical information, including images, might possibly be against the law. Ethical principle: It is a fundamental obligation for healthcare workers to respect the autonomy and privacy of patients. A patient’s trust and right to privacy may be violated if their photo is shared without their express permission or a legitimate cause.

            The nurse might encourage safe patient habits in a number of ways by using a communication device using secure messaging platforms. The nurse should utilize secure messaging platforms that adhere to privacy and security requirements rather than communicating critical patient information via conventional text messages. To secure patient data, these systems frequently include encryption and other security features. De-identifying or obscuring patient information. If the nurse has to send patient information electronically, they can take steps to obscure or obscuring any patient identifying information in the image or message. This helps to protect patient privacy while yet providing essential information. Observing organizational protocols the nurse should abide by the organization’s communication and patient confidentiality rules and regulations. These regulations are often created to guard against illegal disclosure and guarantee patient privacy.

            Social media has been embraced by nurses, and many of them are taking use of its potential to improve practice and patients’ and their own health (Hebda et al., 2019). The particular rule on “personal communication device use in a patient care setting” elements consist of Prohibition of using personal cell phones for patient-related communications. The policy may forbid transferring patient data, including pictures, via personal cell phones in order to protect the security and privacy of patient information. Promotion of the use of authorized and secure communication channels: The policy could promote the use of authorized and secure communication channels, such as electronic health record (EHR) systems or hospital-approved messaging platforms, to securely communicate patient information. Guidelines for gaining patient consent: Before taking pictures of patients or disclosing any patient information electronically the policy may specify the steps to take. By doing this, patient privacy is upheld and safeguarded. Education and training the policy could contain clauses that instruct medical personnel on the value of patient privacy, the dangers of utilizing personal devices, and the proper application of secure communication techniques. Consequences for breaking the rules. The rules should outline the possible penalties for breaking them, which may include disciplinary proceedings or other suitable consequences.

( Johana)

Reference:

Hebda, T., Hunter, K., & Czar, P. (2019). Handbook of informatics for nurses &   healthcare professionals (6th ed.). Pearson.

Martin, G., Khajuria, A., Arora, S., King, D., Ashrafian, H., & Darzi, A. (2019, April 1). The impact of mobile technology on teamwork and communication in hospitals: a systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 26 (4), 339-355. https:doi:10.1093/jamia/ocy175