Chapter 13

Autonomy

Autonomy is the right of patients to make their own healthcare decisions without coercion, based on informed consent.

What does beneficence mean in healthcare ethics?

Beneficence is the ethical principle of acting in the best interest of the patient, promoting their well-being.

What is a code of ethics in healthcare?

A set of moral guidelines that govern professional behavior, ensuring ethical standards in patient care and data handling.

What is confidentiality in healthcare informatics?

The obligation to protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure.

Electronic Health Record (EHR)

A digital version of a patient’s medical history, maintained by healthcare providers, containing diagnoses, treatments, and test results.

Ethical Decision Making

The process of evaluating moral principles (e.g., autonomy, justice) to resolve dilemmas in patient care or data management.

What are ethics in healthcare?

Moral principles that guide behavior and decision-making in medical practice and health information management.

What is hacker ethics in health informatics?

A controversial set of principles (e.g., "information should be free") that may conflict with healthcare privacy laws like HIPAA.

Health Information Exchange (HIE)

The electronic sharing of patient medical records between healthcare organizations to improve care coordination.

What does justice mean in healthcare ethics?

Fair and equitable distribution of medical resources and unbiased treatment of patients.

How do morals differ from ethics?

Morals are personal beliefs about right/wrong, while ethics are standardized rules (e.g., professional codes).

Nonmaleficence

The principle of "do no harm," avoiding actions that could injure a patient.

Personal Health Record (PHR)

A patient-managed digital health record, allowing individuals to track their own medical data.

Privacy

The right of patients to control access to their personal health information.

Release of Information (ROI)

The process of authorizing disclosure of patient health records, typically requiring signed consent.

Secondary Release of Information

Sharing patient data for purposes beyond treatment (e.g., research, billing), often requiring additional safeguards.

Why is security important in health informatics?

Protects patient data from breaches, hacking, or unauthorized access (e.g., encryption, firewalls).

What is a sentinel event?

An unexpected, serious incident (e.g., data breach, surgical error) requiring immediate investigation.

Values

are fundamental principles or standards that guide behavior, decision-making, and policies.

Whistleblower

An employee who reports unethical/illegal practices (e.g., fraud, safety violations) to authorities.