Nursing

Benchmark – Ethics Breach

The purpose of this assignment is to examine the role technology plays in health care ethics.

Though technology, in its increasing ubiquity, largely serves to simplify and make more convenient many daily processes, the extent to which people use and are reliant on technology means that the potential for a vulnerable attack is also heightened. Health care technology has made massive strides in improving quality patient care, making telehealth more accessible to the masses, and cutting down on unnecessary costs. But the more data are digitized, the greater the probability of a breach.

Imagine a scenario in which it was discovered that a company producing wearable fitness-tracking devices had been selling confidential consumer data to the consumers’ health insurance company. Based off of the data consumers had been entering in their fitness-tracking app, this third-party insurance company was then able to suggest health and life insurance plans that would best meet the needs of their clients.

In a paper of 500-750 words, address the following points:

How is this scenario an example of an ethics breach? In what ways were both entities responsible for violating consumer confidentiality?
What consequences might both companies face as a result of this breach?
Moving forward, what changes would the health insurance company need to implement in order to ensure that their communications with customers and corporations comply with HIPAA?
Suppose that a customer had updated a health insurance plan based off of a recommendation made by the insurance company, founded on information received illicitly from the fitness-tracking company. If the customer had a medical emergency that required the use of that added health insurance coverage, is the insurance company still in the wrong? Is the fitness-tracking company still in the wrong? If the misuse of customer data helped to save a patient’s life, was there still a breach of ethics? Explain your position.
How will a renewed commitment by both corporations to honor the confidentiality of customer information serve to promote the common good? How is ethical decision making within a business setting consistent with the Christian worldview (CWV)?
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

ANSWER

Ethics Breach

Ethics Breach

The wearable fitness-tracking device company sells confidential consumer data to a health insurance firm without the clients’ consent. This is a form of ethics breach because it interferes with user privacy.  The move tampers with the rights of the users. As Noroozi et al. (2018) state, respect for confidentiality and privacy is deemed necessary user rights, especially in healthcare settings. Confidentiality and privacy aids in building viable relationships. The insurance company’s actions also highlight a breach of ethics because they access and obtain information without the users’ authorization. These two agents fail to reach out to the users to inform them about a possible collaboration to improve their health and well-being.

Consequences both Companies Face due to the Breach

One possible consequence is legal action targeting compensation against the fitness tracking company and the health insurance firm. The exposure of the user data without their consent attracts claim damages against the two companies. The consumers feel that their rights have been undermined and are likely to seek legal protection. Another major outcome is a damaged reputation for the two companies. A breach of confidentiality attracts the loss of a quality image among the users and could likely lead to damaged relationships. The current consumers might terminate their relationship with these two firms due to the neglect of their privacy and confidentiality.

Changes that Health Insurance Companies should implement to ensure their Communications with Customers and Corporations comply with HIPPA

Health insurance companies should approach or contact potential clients to inform them about the services that they offer. As opposed to relying on another company to acquire data and information that helps them recommend viable health and life insurance plans, these insurance providers should directly contact or approach the consumers and market their services. This will assist in avoiding possible legal claims emerging from breach of privacy and confidentiality. The users can decide to accept the insurance deals depending on their interests and preferences. Approaching potential clients as opposed to acquiring their information from another party helps to safeguard their privacy. Consumers are keen on protecting sensitive information, and abusive practices must be regulated to conserve a patient’s health and welfare (Cohen & Mello, 2018). Even though institutions are driven by the need to improve patient care and health, authorization is an imperative approach that protects private and confidential information. Another critical change is to collaborate with corporations to expand care services to potential consumers. For example, the fitness-tracking company can openly collaborate with the insurance provider to expand service delivery. This will enable the consumers to realize that the two institutions are working to offer them the best services as far as their health and well-being are concerned. This results in minimal safety and security threats.

Updating Health Insurance Plan based on Recommendation by the Insurance Company

In the case of a medical emergency, the added health insurance coverage facilitated without the user’s knowledge and consent might play a vital role in protecting and safeguarding health. The insurance provider comes in handy to offer appropriate support for the patient because of healthcare costs’ affordability. However, the fitness-tracking company is still wrong, even under an emergency, because of the inappropriate provision of user data. Sharing or linking user health data without their consent jeopardizes their autonomy (Ozair et al., 2015). Despite saving a life, customer data misuse is deemed a breach of ethics as it interferes with autonomy. The company might obtain personal details that it might use for its benefits. Also, consumers deserve privacy and confidentiality, where these elements are affected if a breach occurs.

Renewed Commitment by both Corporations

The fitness-tracking company and the health insurance provider should collaborate to ensure that they deliver quality services to potential consumers. The collaboration will inform users that these two institutions are working together to address their needs. The renewed commitment will safeguard privacy and confidentiality because they will have a common agenda. Ethical decision making correlates with the Christian worldview because it promotes behaviors and actions that positively change people’s lives.

References

Cohen, I. G., & Mello, M. M. (2018). HIPAA and protecting health information in the 21st century. Jama, 320(3), 231-232.

Noroozi, M., Zahedi, L., Bathaei, F. S., & Salari, P. (2018). Challenges of confidentiality in clinical settings: compilation of an ethical guideline. Iranian journal of public health, 47(6), 875.

Ozair, F. F., Jamshed, N., Sharma, A., & Aggarwal, P. (2015). Ethical issues in electronic health records: A general overview. Perspectives in clinical research, 6(2), 73.