The Security and Confidentiality of Health Records

Running head: DISCUSSION 1
Discussion
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DISCUSSION 2
Discussion
Question 1
The security and confidentiality of health records, whether manual or electronic is a key
priority for all healthcare organizations and caregivers. Joyce is wrong in her thinking because
her action is against the provisions of the HIPAA privacy and security rule (HHS, 2011). As a
COPD clinic nurse, she is entitled to specific patient information in her line of duty at the
workplace and not to the data of all patients. HIPPA requires healthcare organizations to observe
administrative, physical as well as technical security of patient data. Her home computer does
not guarantee the physical and specialized security of patient data that is at the core of
guaranteeing patient safety (Harman, Flite, & Bond, 2012). In addition, accessing patient
information at her home rather than at the hospital is a breach of privacy of the patients on her
data.
Question 2
Joyce’s action is not correct. Accessing medical data from her house using her laptop with
low cybercrime protection exposes the data to potential breaches through cyberattacks and
ransomware attacks on insurers and providers of healthcare (Harman, Flite, & Bond,
2012). Doctors and hospitals have the ethical obligation to ensure security, confidentiality,
security, as well as the integrity of patient information in their possession. One should remember
that it is not all about data security; it is about guarding lives (Harman, Flite, & Bond,
2012). Without proper authorization and access procedures to access patient information away
from the facility has high risks of further unauthorized access and any information leak may lead
to damages that would include Joyce losing her job, should the reputation of the organization she
works for come into jeopardy because of her reckless action.