BHA FPX 4106 Assessment 1 Information Collection Related to HIV/AIDS
Information Collection
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to a persistent, chronic condition known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which severely compromises the human immune system. According to Jaggers et al. (2023), approximately 30,635 individuals in the United States tested positive for HIV in 2020, with the highest incidence among the African-American population, accounting for 42% of all new HIV diagnoses.
The selection of this topic is driven by its global impact, affecting not only individual health but also households, communities, and the overall development and economy of nations. This proposal aims to determine the most effective data collection methods to assess patient outcomes, treatment accessibility, mortality rates, risk factors, and survival rates in HIV/AIDS patients. Furthermore, it will identify potential concerns regarding the quality of care provided to individuals with AIDS.
Information Life Cycle
The data will be overseen through a comprehensive strategy involving a step-by-step approach, information technology systems, and medical records.
Documentation, Storage, and Control
To initiate the process, we will begin by documenting information regarding patients receiving HIV/AIDS care within the healthcare facility. We will then specifically categorize patients of African-American ethnicity, recording potential risk factors and underlying causes in their clinical files.
Subsequently, all collected data will be securely stored in the electronic health records (EHR) of these patients, employing necessary security protocols. Simultaneously, paper-based health records will be transitioned into electronic systems. Furthermore, stringent access controls will be implemented, utilizing a combination of robust password protection and blockchain technology to safeguard patient information.
Interoperability Standards
We will employ standardized terminologies and formats to guarantee that our documentation complies with interoperability standards. Utilizing common data elements, as outlined in the National Library of Medicine’s Common Data Element (CDE) Repository, will assist in ensuring that our documentation contains the essential information needed for interoperability and equitable data sharing, as advocated by Carus et al. (2023).
Integration into HIE
Integrating office information with a health information exchange (HIE) offers notable benefits, enhancing patient care and operational efficiency. This integration reduces the need for manual data entry, minimizing duplication of efforts, thereby saving time and reducing errors. It also grants healthcare providers access to population health data, enabling the identification of trends and patterns in HIV/AIDS prevalence for more effective public health interventions.
BHA FPX 4106 Assessment 1 Information Collection Related to HIV/AIDS
Nevertheless, potential drawbacks include privacy and security concerns, especially if the HIE is inadequately secured or faces security breaches. Technical and legal challenges can act as barriers, giving rise to complex legal and regulatory issues concerning data ownership, consent, and liability, making navigation through these matters intricate.
Challenges and Destruction
Several challenges are present when it comes to standardizing health information. These challenges encompass the absence of uniformity, the intricacy of administrative and financial data, and a scarcity of necessary resources. To address this, additional resources may need to be allocated to invest in the required technology and infrastructure. The disposal of information is contingent upon the policies and procedures of the organization and adherence to state or federal laws. Medical records that are duplicates or copies, including charts, shadows, and Protected Health Information (PHI) that are not original, will be securely destroyed through methods such as shredding or incineration in accordance with Breve et al. (2022) recommendations.
Legal Considerations
The handling of PHI or medical history related to HIV or AIDS is a delicate matter influenced by cultural and societal norms. Stringent legal and regulatory guidelines are carefully observed during the collection of HIV/AIDS care data. As part of this proposal, we will detail how patient information will be safeguarded to ensure full compliance with the pertinent legal requirements.
Difference Between Confidentiality and Security Measures
In the healthcare industry, the safeguarding of PHI necessitates stringent confidentiality and security measures. Confidentiality focuses on preserving patient information privacy, achieved through password protection, access controls, and encryption, granting access solely to authorized personnel. Patients have the right to keep their medical records confidential, ensuring that their information remains private and secure, with no disclosure to third parties. Conversely, security measures are geared toward upholding the integrity and availability of patient information implementing safety precautions like backups and firewalls, as underscored by VanHoy (2021).
Regulations Pertaining to Health Information
The retrieval and analysis of patient data related to HIV/AIDS will fully align with the regulations stipulated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Confidentiality measures, in line with HIPAA regulations, have a primary focus on preserving the privacy of patient information. In contrast, security measures are aimed at ensuring the overall integrity of this data, as emphasized by Khademi & Asghari (2023).
Additionally, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, another federal law, extends and enhances the privacy and security requirements set forth by HIPAA. It provides added protections and imposes penalties for breaches involving electronic PHI, a concept outlined by Raj & Venugopalachar (2022). In the information collection process, every team member will diligently adhere to HIPAA regulations and patient consent will be thoughtfully obtained to create an effective care plan.
Usage of PHI
The information required for assessing the quality of care for HIV/AIDS patients necessitates the utilization of PHI. This PHI encompasses personally identifiable details, such as names, addresses, ethnicities, and prior medical records. It will also be extracted from the records of the physician group to evaluate testing frequency, treatment effectiveness, and patient outcomes.
BHA FPX 4106 Assessment 1 Information Collection Related to HIV/AIDS
All PHI will be securely stored, maintaining strict confidentiality, with access restricted solely to authorized personnel and any breach resulting in stiff penalties. The purpose of gathering PHI is to evaluate the quality of care provided to HIV/AIDS patients. The team will diligently implement policies and procedures involving the monitoring and auditing of PHI access, which includes regular review of access logs and activity reports. By clarifying these policies and procedures, healthcare providers can ensure compliance with the regulations outlined in HIPAA.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we’ve emphasized the significance of gathering data concerning HIV/AIDS patients, with a particular focus on the African-American community, to enhance the quality of care provided. The suggested methods for information collection encompass hospital databases, EHRs, and clinical information systems like point-of-care systems. My recommendation leans toward clinical information systems due to their precision, timeliness, security, and interoperability. Furthermore, the proposal underscores potential ethical considerations regarding the privacy and security of patient information, particularly in the context of individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
References
Breve, F., LeQuang, J. A. K., & Batastini, L. (2022). Controlled substance waste: Concerns, controversies, Solutions. Cureus.
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.22564
Carus, J., Trübe, L., Szczepanski, P., Nürnberg, S., Hees, H., Bartels, S., Nennecke, A., Ückert, F., & Gundler, C. (2023). Mapping the oncological basis dataset to the standardized vocabularies of a common data model: A feasibility study. Cancers, 15(16), 4059.
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15164059
Jaggers, J. R., Wilde, P., Campbell, J. P., & King, K. P. (2023). High-intensity interval training for people living with human immunodeficiency virus. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, 27(4), 77–81.
https://doi.org/10.1249/fit.0000000000000875
Khademi, N., & Asghari, F. (2023). HIV/AIDS diagnosis and the importance of counseling and confidentiality: A case report. Iranian Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine.
https://doi.org/10.18502/ijme.v15i19.12055
Raj, B. S. S., & Venugopalachar, S. (2022). A survey on healthcare standards and security requirements for electronic health records. 2022 Fourth International Conference on Emerging Research in Electronics, Computer Science and Technology (ICERECT).
https://doi.org/10.1109/icerect56837.2022.10060831
VanHoy, J. (2021). Healthcare sector security analysis. SSRN Electronic Journal.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3763392
