Have the principles of ethical practice been a cornerstone for the HIT profession? How or how not? Resources: 1. Harman, L. (2006). Ethical challenges in the management of health information (2nd ed.). Boston: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. 2. Health Information Management Technology: An Applied Approach 4th Edition by Nanette B. Sayles, EdD, RHIA, CHPS 2013 AHIIMA
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Ethical Practice in HIT Profession
Ethics in Health Information Technology (HIT) profession revolves around confidentiality, privacy and security of health information. HIT involves development, utilization and maintenance of health information systems. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) which is an association of HIT professionals cites “privacy and security of personal health information are cornerstones of HIM (health information management) practice and critical elements for transition to electronic health information and information exchange”(Sayles, 2013).
Prior to the HIPAA privacy rule of 2003, ethics of healthcare providers were guided by state-specific privacy acts and the non-specific federal Privacy Act of 1974. HIPAA required healthcare providers to comply to certain ethical requirements (Harman, 2006).
The HIPAA Act was superseded by the HITEC Act of 2009. Many health systems and facilities have adapted HIT ethics since the HITEC Act that introduced the EHR meaningful use program.The act established government certification of EHR systems via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT (ONC) at the federal level(Sayles, 2013).It extendedand updated certain HIPAA provisions, penalties and standards to ensure more healthcare privacy and security in the HIT profession. It also enabled enforcement of HIPAA to include organizations that partner with healthcare providers and others that dealt with personal health information.
This is supplemented by Congress’ Medicare Access and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Plan) Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), a value-based reimbursement system. By making payments to physicians and healthcare institutions, the health industry has been incentivized to implement HIT ethical values.
Certain challenges still exist in adaption of HIT ethics. This includes data breaches in an increasingly technologically savvy world, where hackers are always a step ahead; necessitating constant update of HIT systems and regulations. Other …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. cornerstone for the HIT profession ……..