Ethical, Legal and Legislative Issues

Running head: ETHICAL, LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE ISSUES 1 

Ethical, Legal and Legislative Issues 

Nurses and other healthcare professionals need to develop competencies in the area of healthcare informatics. Informatics is becoming a critical component of healthcare (Graves & Corcoran, 1989). The acronym E.T.H.I.C.A.L is an ethical framework, a model that helps a practicing nurse or medical personnel explore and provide actionable solutions that arise in a care setting. Ethical dilemmas are common in the healthcare profession. The E represents examining the ethical dilemma, T mean thoroughly comprehend the possible alternatives available. H is hypothesizing the ethical argument I mean investigate, compare, and evaluate the arguments for each alternative; and C is to choose the alternative you will recommend. A stands for act on your chosen alternative while L is look at the ethical dilemma and examine the outcomes while reflecting on your ethical decision (McGonigle &Mastrian, 2015).

E (for the acronym E.T.H.I.C.A.L)

The OR dashboard is a common technology applications in many hospitals that provide nurses with adequate information on patients. The progress of a patient is monitored through the dashboard and decisions are made according to what is displayed on the system. It can enhance interoperability within a given healthcare setting.

T 

Often, ethical situation arise in the use of office computers regarding personal communication other than official storage, processing, storage, retrieval, use, and transfer of data. This might be against the organizational policy. Virtual professional conversations are possible through identified portal to assist in knowledge sharing and consultations. The IT department can offer security to protect the platform.

H 

A clear understanding of employee policies and patient needs are critical in managing an ethical dilemma. Patients' autonomy, privacy, maleficence, confidentiality, and the virtue ethics approaches are valuable guides for nurses. Password protected access to information will reduce unassigned personnel access to HER of patients. Voice and fingerprint detectors are safeguards for EHRs.

I 

Nurses make contacts with patients routinely. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) help in documenting such daily encounters for quick and timely responses. These digital assistants are useful in decision-making through collaboration and individually.

C 

Emails and calendar filings are essential communication tools within the healthcare setting. This aspect of the model focuses more on the utilitarian ethical theory. The decisions that are taken are to benefit the majority or patient. A computerized order entry system will provide information that will support a decision-making process devoid of error.

A 

The chosen action has to be implemented or acted upon. Thus, using electronic bulletin boards, communication of a decision across to management and other team members for actions is possible. Videoconferencing, using technology such as Skype provide means for reaching at decisions that protects patients and healthcare personnel.

L 

Feedback and evaluation enhance performance and effective decision-making. Thus, PDAs, interactive voice response, text messaging are applicable in such situations.

HITECH Act 2009 

The health information technology economic and clinical health (HITECH) Act of 2009 seeks to promote electronic management and protection of healthcare records; it indicates a basis for policies formulation. It encourages information gathering, storage, use, and transfer by relevant and legally allowed persons across the country through improving research, error prevention, reducing disparity, and improving quality (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2015). It is an ethical issue because it concerns patients’ private information and confidentiality.

References

Graves, J. R., & Corcoran, S. (1989). The study of nursing informatics. Image-- The Journal of 

Nursing Scholarship, 21 (4), 227-231.

McGonigle, D. & Mastrian, K. (2015). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

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