Chapter 21 Ethical Issues in Health Information Management Leslie L. Gordon, MS,

Question

Chapter 21 Ethical Issues in Health Information Management Leslie L. Gordon, MS, RHIA, FAHIMA Morley L. Gordon, RHIT Real-World Case 21.1 A woman was found unresponsive on a desert highway and brought to the emergency room of a local hospital. After five days in a coma, the woman awoke and did not know her name, where she was from, her history, or have any recollection of her past. She was given the name Jane Brown and eventually released from the hospital. After many years working with social service agencies, she built a new life but never regained memories of her past. Eventually, she graduated from college, moved to the Pacific Northwest, married, and had two sets of twins one year apart. One day a man recognized her as a missing woman from Arizona and contacted authorities. The police notified Ms. Brown of her past life and informed her she has family members who want to meet her. With the hope of remembering her past, she met with them. With the case receiving national news coverage and attention, the local hospital noticed a marked increase in the number of people requesting access the health records of Ms. Brown and her children. Real-World Case Discussion Questions Using figure 21.1 on seven considerations that should be asked by HIM professionals faced with an ethical decision, please answer the following questions about this real-world case. 1. Identify the ethical question: 2. What are the facts: Who are the stakeholders: 3. What are the options: 4. What is the decision (HIM values at stake): 5. What justifies the choice: 6. Prevention so issue is not repeated:

Explanation / Answer

HIM professional are department whose main aim is to maintain the quality policy for healthcare services , patient records, etc.

1. Ethical queries:

a. Verification of family identity of Ms.Brown

b. Checking of proofs and claims which they are giving in order to proof her identity.

c. What Ms.Brown personal opinion with regards to her family.

d. Taking opinion of both side that Ms. Brown husband and family members on the whole case.

facts about stakeholders:

1. Her husband along with her kids

2. Her parents also in the case

The option :

1. She can stay with her husband as now she is married and they have more rights on her.

2. She can maintain her relationships with past family too.

Decision of Him:

deciding based on Ms. Brown opinion where she wants to stay and with whom she is happy.

5. Patient opinion and decision should be given priority in this cases.

6. Hospital management system should take initiatives to identify lost identity of patient family members.

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