Patient privacy and confidentiality should remain at the forefront of nursing informatics. While the use of computers in nursing is the way of the future, we must remember that confidential information is used daily in our nursing practice. And although computers make our jobs much more functional by providing us a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips and at the bedside, we need to remember to log off and exit out of screens while computers are not is use. While we are practicing patient care, if important information about a patient is left up for all to see, this is a violation of not only patients privacy rights but also HIPPA.
We need to start with ourselves, employ privacy methods in our own everyday practice and continue to educate our colleagues regarding the use of confidential information and informatics and we all can continue to make a difference with the many ethical issues that may arise while using technology and taking care of our patients!
Ethics in nursing informatics must remain an important part of new technology design, implementation and education. We in the healthcare field, especially nurses must remain patient advocates, especially when it comes to protecting patient privacy!
I welcome all thoughts, opinions and suggestions regarding any ethical issues regarding the ever expanding field of nursing informatics! I look forward to many fruitful discussions. Happy blogging!
