Question 4
Potential Malfunctions of Technological Equipment:
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MR Imaging Equipment Failure: The MRI machine may have a malfunction that prevents proper imaging, leading to inconclusive results.
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Electronic Health Record (EHR) System Crash: The EHR system could crash, resulting in the loss of patient data or delayed access to critical information.
Reporting Process:
- Identify the Issue: The healthcare worker should document the malfunction, including specific details about the time, nature of the problem, and any immediate impacts on patient care.
- Notify Supervisors: The worker must promptly inform a supervisor or the designated IT department to escalate the issue for immediate resolution.
- Complete Incident Report: The worker should fill out an incident report detailing the malfunction so it can be logged and analyzed for further improvements.
- Follow-Up: After reporting, the worker should follow up to ensure the issue is addressed and any necessary repairs or updates are completed.
Question 5
Scenario:
A nurse named Lisa accesses the electronic health records of her cousin, who is undergoing treatment at the hospital where she works. Curious about her cousin's condition, Lisa uses her hospital credentials to view sensitive medical information that is not relevant to her professional duties.
Upon a routine audit, the hospital's compliance team discovers that Lisa accessed her cousin’s records without any valid reason. The breach is taken seriously as it violates patient confidentiality guidelines and HIPAA regulations.
Consequences:
- Lisa faces disciplinary action, including suspension from her duties pending a review.
- After a thorough investigation, she is ultimately terminated for violating privacy policies.
- Lisa is required to attend a mandatory training on data protection and ethics before considering re-employment in any healthcare setting.
This scenario emphasizes the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality and the serious repercussions of misusing access to health data.