Question

Technology to support Evidence Based Practice: As the demand for increased effectiveness, cost efficiency, safety and quality of care permeates healthcare, there is need for “proven” methods and interventions that guide nursing practice. Technology and informatics solutions hold the potential for enhancing evidence-based practice and clinical decision making. According to Stevens & Mitchell (2014) “The field of informatics and the concept of evidence-based practice intersect at the crucial junction of knowledge for clinical decisions with the goal of transforming healthcare to be reliable, safe and effective.” (p. 40). This module will explore key technology initiatives related to EBP, how technology is used in EBP and research, and the electronic health record in EBP support.

Question:

An RN on your unit accesses information on the electronic health record about a family friend (who is not her assigned patient). Has this nurse violated any ethical principles? Explain.

Your unit has an electronic white board behind the nursing station listing private patient information. Occasionally a family member is seen viewing the white board and some of the nurses are concerned about HIPAA violations. Is this a violation? Explain.

As a supervisor what actions should you take? Which of the Stage 1 or Stage 2 Meaningful Use Core Set objectives are available in your facility? (Be specific - list the actual functions you are using). Briefly explain your understanding of meaningful use. What do you perceive as the role of nursing related to the meaningful use objectives?

Answer 1

A registered nurse is supposed to care the patient as instructed by the physician. Her or his duty is to give attention to the patient needs and monitor the vitals, give the drugs as prescribed. It is not the business of a registered nurse to have a look at the details of the family members of any patient irrespective of whether it is a patient that is assigned to her or not. Here the registered nurse has violated the ethical principles by looking at the details of a family member of a patient. She or he is not supposed to do like that.

If a family member of any patient is looking at the white board of the nursing station which contains the information about the patients is also not good. The registered nurse should take strict action against these kinds of issues and tell the family members that they are not supposed to do like this. If still the family members doesn't mind, then the nurse should address this issue to the higher authority. Since the private information about the patients may be misused and it will create so many legal issues.