NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs
NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs – Step-by-Step Guide With Example Solution
The first step before starting to write the NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs is to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length, and the format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment.
It is also important to identify the paper’s audience and purpose, as this will help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing, and revising, to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, review its use, including how to write citations and reference the resources used. You should also review the formatting requirements for the title page and the paper’s headings, as outlined by GCU.
How to Research and Prepare for NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs
The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify a list of keywords related to your topic using various combinations. The first step is to visit the GCU University library and search its database using key keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from the GCU University Library, PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure you select references published in the last 5 years and review each to assess credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, such as APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list.
You can also group the references by themes that align with the paper’s outline. Go through each reference and summarize the key concepts, arguments, and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching. After the above steps, you can develop a strong, clear, concise, and arguable thesis. Next, create a detailed outline to help you develop the paper’s headings and subheadings. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.
How to Write the Introduction for NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs
The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part, as it helps provide the context of your work and determines whether the reader will be interested in reading through to the end. Begin with a hook to capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.
How to Write the Body for NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs
The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence collected from the research, and ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance, as well as how it relates to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between paragraphs by using transition words and a flow of ideas.
How to Write the In-text Citations for NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs
In-text citations help readers give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their work. All ideas borrowed from references, any statistics, and direct quotes must be properly referenced. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation at the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember also to include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as follows:
“The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Morelli et al. (2024), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Alawiye (2024) highlights that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.”
How to Write the Conclusion for NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs
When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restating your thesis to remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the paper’s key points by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. Conclude with a call to action that leaves a lasting impression on the reader or offers recommendations.
How to Format the Reference List for NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs
The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in alphabetical order, with each entry indented. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication.
Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:
References
Morelli, S., Daniele, C., D’Avenio, G., Grigioni, M., & Giansanti, D. (2024). Optimizing telehealth: Leveraging Key Performance Indicators for enhanced telehealth and digital healthcare outcomes (Telemechron Study). Healthcare, 12(13), 1319. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131319
Alawiye, T. (2024). The impact of digital technology on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, 13, 13-22. 10.4236/etsn.2024.132002.
NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs – Instructions
Review HIPAA, protected health information (PHI), and requirements for privacy and confidentiality in EHRs. Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs that directly impact advanced registered nursing practice. Consider the emerging role of the telehealth and the EHR in patient care delivery and compromise of patient data using telehealth applications and measures you can implement in your own practice to protect patient privacy and confidentiality. Have a look at NUR 514 Topic 8 DQ 1.
NUR 514 Topic 7 DQ 2 Discuss one ethical and one legal issue related to the use of EHRs – Example
The advancement of healthcare technology has led to the adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) as a replacement for traditional paper charts and documentation. The technological system provides direct access to sensitive patient information, raising ethical and legal issues, particularly regarding patient privacy and confidentiality. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) establishes stringent regulations to protect Protected Health Information (PHI) and ensure the secure handling of patient data in Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and other clinical systems and telehealth applications. This essay examines HIPAA, PHI, and the requirements for privacy and confidentiality in Electronic Health Records, identifying an ethical and legal issue related to the use of EHRs that directly impacts advanced registered nursing practice. In addition, it will discuss the measures I can implement in my practice setting to protect patient privacy and confidentiality.
According to Bayyapu (2023), HIPAA establishes national standards to protect PHI in all healthcare settings, including EHRs. It mandates that all covered entities ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and security of patient data. The Key HIPAA provisions include the Privacy Rule, which limits access to protected health information (PHI) and ensures patient control over their health data; the Security Rule, which requires institutions to implement safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to PHI; and the Breach Notification Rule, which mandates the reporting of data breaches affecting PHI.
There are various ethical and legal issues associated with the use of EHRs that influence advanced registered nursing practice. A major ethical issue in telehealth is the balance between ensuring patient autonomy and obtaining informed consent. Telehealth involves patients sharing sensitive medical data online, raising concerns about informed consent and data security. Moreover, Afzal and Arshad (2021) note that some patients may fail to understand the potential cybersecurity risks associated with telehealth, which raises a significant ethical concern. This issue impacts the ARN practice, as nurses must ensure that patients receive explicit, informed consent about EHR and telehealth privacy risks before care is provided and advocate for secure telehealth platforms to prioritize patient autonomy.
Furthermore, a significant legal issue in EHR use impacting the practice of ARNs is the liability risks associated with EHR documentation. According to Keshta and Odeh (2021), although the system improves documentation accuracy, documentation errors may result in legal consequences, including malpractice lawsuits and HIPAA violations if protected health information (PHI) is accessed or altered. Therefore, ARNs must accurately document patient care to prevent legal liabilities and conduct regular EHR audits and training to reduce documentation errors.
Advanced registered practice nurses are at the forefront of protecting the privacy and security and privacy of PHI. There are various measures I can implement in my practice setting to protect patient privacy and confidentiality. These measures include limiting data sharing unnecessarily by following principles to avoid oversharing. Additionally, I can educate patients and other staff members on secure access to and sharing of patient information, particularly when using telehealth. For example, I can encourage them to use private WIFI and strong passwords. Additionally, I can train staff to stay up to date on emerging issues.
The integration of EHRs and telehealth into healthcare practice has presented both opportunities and challenges in protecting patient privacy and confidentiality. Ethical concerns, such as the need for informed consent in telehealth and legal risks, including errors in EHR documentation, underscore the importance of protecting the privacy and confidentiality of nursing practice. To address these challenges, advanced registered nurses must advocate for patient education, adhere to legal documentation standards, and implement data security safeguards. ARNs should prioritize these measures to ensure that digital advancements continue to enhance patient care without compromising privacy and confidentiality.
References
Afzal, S., & Arshad, A. (2021). Ethical issues among healthcare workers using electronic medical records: A systematic review. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine Update, 1, 100030. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpbup.2021.100030
Keshta, I., & Odeh, A. (2021). Security and privacy of electronic health records: Concerns and challenges. Egyptian Informatics Journal, 22(2), 177-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eij.2020.07.003
Bayyapu, S. (2023). How data analysts can assist healthcare organizations in complying with HIPAA and other data privacy regulations. International Journal for Advanced Research in Science & Technology, 13(12), 669–674. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sripriya-Bayyapu-2/publication/378007570
