Posted: June 13th, 2024

Patient Confidentiality Policies in Public and Private Healthcare Institutions

Patient Confidentiality Policies in Public and Private Healthcare Institutions
Overview of Patient Confidentiality Policies
Patient confidentiality policies are crucial guidelines that safeguard sensitive medical information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These policies serve as both ethical standards and legal requirements for healthcare institutions, regardless of their public or private status. Johns Hopkins Hospital, a renowned public institution, and Mayo Clinic, a prestigious private facility, both maintain robust patient confidentiality policies in compliance with regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2024; Mayo Clinic, 2024).
Key Stakeholders Impacted
The primary stakeholders affected by patient confidentiality policies include:

Patients: Confidentiality policies protect their privacy and foster trust in the healthcare system.
Healthcare professionals: Physicians, nurses, and other staff must adhere to these policies to maintain ethical standards and legal compliance.
Healthcare institutions: Both public and private organizations rely on confidentiality policies to uphold their reputation and avoid legal repercussions.

Main Goals of Patient Confidentiality Policies
The primary objectives of patient confidentiality policies are consistent across public and private healthcare institutions:

Protecting patient privacy: Ensuring that sensitive medical information remains secure and confidential.
Building trust: Fostering a trusting relationship between patients and healthcare providers.
Ensuring legal compliance: Adhering to regulations like HIPAA to avoid legal consequences and penalties.

Barriers to Implementing Patient Confidentiality Policies
Implementing patient confidentiality policies can face several challenges:

Technological barriers: Securing electronic health records and preventing data breaches require significant investments in IT infrastructure and cybersecurity measures.
Staff training: Ensuring that all healthcare professionals are adequately trained in confidentiality protocols and adhere to them consistently.
Legislative and regulatory processes: Keeping up with evolving regulations and adapting policies accordingly can be complex and time-consuming.

Key Similarities and Differences
While both Johns Hopkins Hospital and Mayo Clinic prioritize patient confidentiality, nuances exist due to their public or private status:

Similarities:

Adherence to HIPAA and other relevant regulations
Commitment to protecting patient privacy and building trust
Investment in technology and staff training to maintain confidentiality

Differences:

Public institutions like Johns Hopkins Hospital may face additional regulatory scrutiny and accountability.
Private entities like Mayo Clinic may have more flexibility in policy implementation but also face unique challenges related to profitability and competition.

Conclusion
Patient confidentiality policies are essential for maintaining trust, ethical standards, and legal compliance in healthcare. Through the comparison of policies at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Mayo Clinic, it is evident that both public and private healthcare institutions share common goals and challenges in safeguarding patient information. Despite nuances arising from their respective statuses, the ultimate objective remains consistent: ensuring the delivery of high-quality healthcare while protecting patient privacy.
References:
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024). Patient Privacy Information. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/patient-privacy-information
Mayo Clinic. (2024). Patient rights, responsibilities and privacy. https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/patient-rights-responsibilities-privacy
Rosenberg, K. (2020). Patient confidentiality in the era of big data. American Journal of Nursing, 120(3), 14. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000656344.34457.a7
Sahu, K. K., Mishra, A. K., & Lal, A. (2020). Patient confidentiality and privacy protection in health care system. Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, 5(1), 3-5. https://doi.org/10.20529/IJME.2020.003
Yerby, J. (2019). Confidentiality in the age of electronic health records. Journal of Legal Medicine, 39

Patient Confidentiality Policies in Public and Private Healthcare Institutions

Select a type of organization that exists in both the public and private sector (i.e. healthcare, education, etc). Find an organization in the public sector and one in the private sector and access the policy statements from both. For example, if you choose higher education, you might compare Delaware State University (public) to that of Wesley College (private).

Select a specific policy statement that both would have and discuss it using the following points for guidance:

Provide an overview of the policy statement.
Who are the key stakeholders impacted by the policy statement?
What are the main goals of the policy statement (examples: reducing costs, increasing access to care, improving quality of care)?
Review any current barriers to implementing the suggested policy, including legislative/government processes.
Analyze the key similarities and differences that exist between these.
Be sure to post an initial, substantive response by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. MT, and respond to two or more classmates with substantive responses by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. MT. A substantive initial post answers the question presented completely and/or asks a thoughtful question pertaining to the topic. Be sure your post is unique. Do not repeat what other students have said. Substantive peer responses ask a thoughtful question pertaining to the topic and/or answers a question (in detail) posted by another student or the instructor.

Note: The following are not examples of substantive contributions:

===== Discussion Entry
In healthcare, patient confidentiality is important, regardless of whether the institution is public or private. Both Johns Hopkins Hospital, a renowned public institution, and Mayo Clinic, a prestigious private facility, maintain strict patient confidentiality policies to safeguard sensitive medical information, in compliance with regulations like HIPAA.Patient confidentiality policies outline guidelines to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of patient information, serving as ethical standards and legal requirements. These policies foster trust between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring privacy, and maintaining legal compliance. Stakeholders impacted by these policies include patients, healthcare professionals, and institutions, all relying on them to uphold confidentiality and trust.The primary goals of patient confidentiality policies are consistent across both public and private healthcare institutions, aiming to protect patient privacy, build trust, and ensure legal compliance. Implementing these policies involves investing in technology, infrastructure, and staff training to secure electronic health records and maintain adherence to regulations.While both institutions prioritize patient confidentiality, nuances exist due to their public or private status. Johns Hopkins Hospital, as a public institution, may face additional regulatory scrutiny and accountability, whereas Mayo Clinic, as a private entity, may have more flexibility but also unique challenges related to profitability and competition.Patient confidentiality policies are essential for maintaining trust, ethical standards, and legal compliance in healthcare. Through the comparison of policies at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Mayo Clinic, we observe common goals and challenges faced by public and private healthcare institutions in safeguarding patient information, ultimately ensuring quality healthcare delivery.Patient Privacy Information. (n.d.). Www.hopkinsmedicine.org. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/patient-privacy-informationLinks to an external site.Patient rights, responsibilities and privacy – Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Www.mayoclinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/patient-

===== Discussion Entry
I chose to compare the right to refuse care to patients in the public and private hospital setting. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, also known as “EMTALA.” States that any hospital emergency department that receives Medicare funding, may not refuse care to prospective patients. EMTALA protects the patients right to an exam (“proper medical screening), to be treated until stabilized, and to be transferred if necessary. “Anyone with an emergency medical condition must be offered treatment to stabilize that condition.” (CMS, 2024) Private emergency rooms, who don’t accept insurance may refuse care to prospective patients. Private emergency rooms get their funding through it’s members who pay between $1000-$5000/year for the service options. Some of their services (radiology) are billed separately as out-of-network with the patient understanding that billing is a courtesy and they are responsible for the balance. People who want to remain out of the public as possible seek these types of services. Also, people who do not want to be stuck in a public ER for hours on end. The stakeholders could be both the private patients, as they are receiving concierge style medical care. As well, the company, in this case Sollis Health is a stakeholder as they are in the market of providing private healthcare for the money. The goals of EMTALA, and of public hospitals is to provide quality healthcare for all who need it. EMTALA ensures that patients will not be refused care. On the CMS website is a process for filing a complaint if a patient feels they were not treated properly. The goal of a private emergency room such as Sollis is to provide quality healthcare to it’s members. The similarities are that in both cases patients are receiving care. The difference is the scenery and the cost. There will always be different options for those who can afford it and choose to do so. EMTALA is for everyone else, to guarantee that they are not turned away. https://www.cms.gov/priorities/your-patient-rights/emergency-room-rightsLinks to an external site.https://www.businessinsider.com/concierge-medicine-what-is-a-private-emergency-room-photos-2019-12#sollis-has-three-locations-i-visited-the-newest-one-located-in-manhattans-richest-zip-code-1

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Study Notes & Homework Samples: Download the Week 6 Medication Table – Psychiatric Drugs »Explain how the advanced practice nurse applies and integrates broad