Discussion: The Internet: Privacy and Safety Concerns

Respond to the following questions with at least 2 paragraphs

· Provide at least two examples of how institutions protect Internet-based patient information and promote patient privacy.

· What specifically can nurses do to protect patient privacy when using the Internet?

Reply to the Two discussions below with at least a paragraph including references (APA citations) and links to references

Discussion #1: Please reply to this student

Use of internet and especially Electronic Medical Record (EHR) has streamlined record keeping and healthcare delivery, improving patients’ safety and improving communication between healthcare providers as we discussed during the last week. But this also presents increased risks of data access by unauthorized individuals and bad actors for various reasons including misusing personal information to extorting institutions into paying ransoms. Securing patients’ personal and health information should be a top priority for institutions; it’s their responsibility as well as a legal requirement under Federal, State, and local laws. The health insurance portability and accountability act (HIPAA) public law 104-191, was enacted into federal law to ensure that that patient medical data remains private and secure (Tariq, 2023).

One measure taken by institutions to protect patients’ privacy is through improving internet safety with protections including adding firewalls, limiting data access to only authorized individuals, implementing stringent authentication system, storing data securely, periodically updating the systems, having designated Information Technology (IT) department (Hebda & Czar, 2013).  These measures usually happen behind the scenes from general employees and are handled by IT specialists. Another measure that institutions have taken includes etiquettes for the healthcare providers who have access to the data as I have seen in my workplace. This includes training employees to only access data when needed, locking the computer system when not in use, follow the policy pertaining to patients’ record sharing, implementing strict policies pertaining to transmitting Protected Health Information (PHI) electronically or physically.

As nurses, we should follow the institutional policies pertaining to protecting patients’ health information and privacy. We interact with patients and caregivers as part of our job, we should be very careful when we are dealing with multiple caregivers. We should always check with patients if they are okay with us discussing their health information or providing bedside care or teaching when they have family members in the room. We should also verify individuals’ identity when they are seeking information about a particular patient over the phone. It is always a good idea to check institutional policies pertaining to verification methods; these includes unique codes that patients must provide to someone calling on their behalf. Nurses should also pay particular attention pertaining to policies around sharing information when caring for vulnerable patients including minors, older adults and incapacitated individuals.

                                                                                            References

Hebda, T., & Czar, P. (2013). Handbook of Informatics for Nurses & Healthcare professionals. Prentice Hall

Tariq, R. A. (2023). Patient confidentiality. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519540/

Discussion #2: Please Reply to the student’s discussion

One example of how institutions protect Internet-based is through data encryption. It is a security method that involves translating data into a code, which can only be read by authorized parties. Encrypted data requires a password or a secret key to open—this makes it difficult for hackers to decipher patient information even when they access it. In other words, data encryption improves the security of Internet-based patent information, especially during sharing (Kruse et al., 2018). Another example includes educating healthcare providers on the significance and the means to ensure data security. Negligence or errors from the staff during data entry or sharing threaten the safety of patient information. Therefore, training them would improve decision-making and encourage them to use appropriate caution when handling Internet-based patient data. In addition, institutions promote patient safety by conducting regular risk assessments. Evaluating the potential for data breaches helps organizations identify vulnerabilities and develop practical solutions to mitigate those risks.

Nurses can protect patient privacy when using the Internet by refraining from identifying patients by name or publishing information that could reveal their identity. They should also adhere to workplace privacy and security policies (Spector & Kappel, 2012). Following institutions’ laws ensures nurses maintain confidentiality and not face severe consequences such as dismissal for data breaches. In addition, nurses should avoid gossiping about patients to prevent sharing information with unauthorized parties. Providers are not entitled to know patients’ information just because they work in a hospital. Nurses should only share with providers involved in the treatment or family members. Participating in data privacy training and adhering to HIPAA also helps nurses to protect patient privacy. Doing so allows nurses to remember the necessary steps to uphold data security to avoid errors.       

References

Kruse, C. S., Smith, B., Vanderlinden, H., & Nealand, A. (2018). Security techniques for the electronic health records. 
Journal of Medical Systems, 
41(8). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-017-0778-4

Spector, N., & Kappel, D. (2012). Guidelines for using electronic and social media: The regulatory perspective. 
OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 
17(3). https://doi.org/10.3912/ojin.vol17no03man01

Discussion: Using Political Strategies to Move Advocacy Forward

Step 1: Read the vignette below.

Vignette: You are completing a clinical rotation in a small community agency that provides services to pregnant women or women with children under the age of 3. This agency is located in an urban area of the southern United States. The racial composition of the community is 78.1% white, 9.6% African American, 8.0% Hispanic, 0.3% American Indian/Alaska Native, 2.0% Asian, and 2.0% other. In 2022, 110,800 women of child-bearing age resided in the county with 5,300 total births.

Recently you and your fellow students learned that current statistics for the county reveal that from 2020 to 2022, the infant mortality (number of deaths per 1000 live births) rate was 8.2%; an increase from 6.5% in 2017-2019. For African Americans, the rates were 10.0% in 2017 to 2019 and increased to 14.4% in 2020 to 2022. The local Healthy Start agency confirms that these data are accurate for the community. In fact, based on a review of deaths by the coroner, in the last year, the major causes of neonatal and infant demise were low birth weight, babies sleeping in bed with an adult (roll over/unintentional deaths), and SIDS.

Step 2: Post a response to the following questions.

1. Discuss which actions should be taken first.

2. Identify the community partners that will help with your campaign.

3. Using research, what action should you take to move the action forward in the community?

Step 3: reply to the 2 replies below

Response #1:

.According to the World Health Organization, “Globally 2.4 million children died in the first month of life in 2020” (WHO, 2022). To address the growing concern over the rising number of infant deaths in our community we can take actions that prioritize collaboration and evidence-based approaches. 

Immediate Steps include awareness and education. Launching a public awareness campaign that emphasizes sleep practices highlights the risks associated with co sleeping and stresses the importance of care is the best way to bring awareness to the issue. It is crucial to ensure this campaign is culturally sensitive, considering our community’s makeup. 

Developing and implementing programs targeting mothers and families with a particular focus on those at higher risk are a great way to educate on infant death prevention. It is important to cover topics such as care, nutrition and avoiding behaviors that contribute to infant mortality. Community Collaboration with local health departments, healthcare providers, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations will provide resources, education, and support. Assessing community needs is critical to identify factors that contribute to the increase in infant mortality. This approach, driven by data, will help us create interventions that are tailored to address the challenges faced by demographic groups. 

 To effectively reduce infant mortality, it is important to implement interventions that have been proven effective through evidence-based research.” It is possible to improve survival and health of newborns and end preventable stillbirths by reaching high coverage of quality antenatal care, skilled care at birth, postnatal care for mother and baby, and care of small and sick newborns” (WHO, 2022). For example, we can launch campaigns like “Safe to Sleep”. “The Safe to Sleep® campaign began in 1994, as the Back to Sleep campaign, then named for its main recommendation for all healthy babies to be placed on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)… the campaign was expanded and renamed Safe to Sleep® in 2012 to address not only SIDS, but also other sleep-related infant deaths.” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Improving access to prenatal care services should be a priority. We need to advocate for access and address any barriers that may hinder women from receiving timely and adequate healthcare during their pregnancy. 

 In order to ensure our interventions’ effectiveness, it is important to establish a data collection and analysis system. This will enable us to monitor the impact of our strategies, identify approaches and determine areas that may require attention. 

By taking actions, engaging community partners, incorporating research-informed strategies, and implementing continuous monitoring and evaluation measures, we can develop a comprehensive approach towards addressing the concerning rise in infant mortality rates, within our community. 

References: 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). 
Campaign history. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/campaign/history 

World Health Organization. (2022, January 28). 
Newborn mortality. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/levels-and-trends-in-child-mortality-report-2021 

Response #2:

A multifaceted approach is imperative to effectively tackle the urgent matter of infant mortality rates, specifically those that are on the rise among African Americans. It is crucial to conduct a thorough examination of current instances of neonatal and infant mortality. One might get essential insights into the precise circumstances underlying these catastrophes by carefully collaborating with local healthcare specialists, such as obstetricians, pediatricians, and coroners (Lu & Johnson, 2014). This thorough investigation should not just concentrate on the statistical data but also explore the socio-economic determinants, healthcare accessibility, and cultural practices that might potentially contribute to the reported rise in infant death rates.

To provide a robust and solid basis for the campaign, it is essential to actively include a wide range of community partners. Potential collaborators include local hospitals, community health centers, parental education programs, and social care organizations. By forming partnerships with these organizations, the effort may use their extensive knowledge and resources, promoting a more holistic and enduring strategy to address the underlying factors contributing to infant death (Bhutta et al, 2012). Furthermore, including community leaders, faith-based organizations, and grassroots advocacy groups is crucial for establishing trust, spreading knowledge, and obtaining support for preventative actions within the community.

Research, including qualitative and quantitative methodologies, is crucial in providing the necessary information for evidence-based solutions. Strategic action is doing a comprehensive examination of current literature and research on effective programs targeting the reduction of infant mortality rates, particularly in metropolitan regions with comparable demographic characteristics to the community under consideration (Lu & Johnson, 2014). This study may guide the creation of customized solutions and educational campaigns that effectively target the unique difficulties encountered by the community. In addition, engaging local colleges or research institutes in joint endeavors may provide continuous assessment and enhancement of the deployed tactics, guaranteeing their long-term efficacy.

Furthermore, it is crucial to formulate a long-term strategy for community involvement in addition to the specified urgent measures. This strategy may include the implementation of periodic town hall gatherings, seminars, and outreach initiatives to educate and empower individuals within the community consistently (Ratnasiri et al., 2020). The program may achieve sustained success in decreasing infant death rates in urban neighborhoods by promoting a shared feeling of responsibility and active participation from the community. By conducting ongoing research, forming collaborative partnerships, and actively involving the community, we can create a comprehensive and sustainable campaign to tackle the multifaceted causes behind the rising infant mortality rates. This campaign will prioritize the welfare of African American infants in the urban area.

References

Bhutta, Z. A., Cabral, S., Chan, C. W., & Keenan, W. J. (2012). Reducing maternal, newborn, and infant mortality globally: an integrated action agenda. 
International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 
119, S13-S17.

Lu, M. C., & Johnson, K. A. (2014). Toward a national strategy on infant mortality. 
American journal of public health, 
104(S1), S13-S16.

Ratnasiri, A. W., Lakshminrusimha, S., Dieckmann, R. A., Lee, H. C., Gould, J. B., Parry, S. S., … & Basford, K. E. (2020). Maternal and infant predictors of infant mortality in California, 2007–2015. 
PloS one, 
15(8), e0236877.