Question: I have an independent foot care practice and have been using paper charting but am considering starting to chart in a Word document on my laptop. Is this appropriate? Answer: In every Canadian province or territory, there is legislation to protect the privacy of personal health information (PHI). These laws create obligations as to…
Read MoreQuestion: A nurse working in primary care receives a “friend” request on her Facebook site from someone with a familiar-sounding name. The picture accompanying the request is of a lakeside sunset, so she cannot tell who sent the request. Because the name sounds familiar, she accepts the request. After going through the requestor’s profile, she…
Read MoreQuestion: Lately, I have been using my personal smartphone to text updates to physicians regarding patients. Is this practice acceptable? Answer: Mobile devices offer nurses and other healthcare professionals a convenient, user-friendly way to communicate with each other. Texting is fast, direct and simplifies the pager systems that hospitals and other health care organizations have…
Read MoreIntroduction Many nurses use the Internet at home for personal matters, and at work to do research, access information and communicate. This novel communication tool is convenient, efficient and has opened many doors for us, but not without legal risks. It is important to be aware of the legal risks involved when using the Internet,…
Read MoreHand-held devices can be useful tools for nurses and other health-care practitioners. They can be used to communicate about patient care in certain circumstances as long as the right security measures are in place to ensure patient confidentiality. However, when used for a personal purpose, hand-held devices can also distract from the provision of care….
Read MorePrivacy Concerns Health care organizations and health care professionals use email extensively because of its speed, reliability and convenience. However, the same characteristics that make email use advantageous are also the source of legal risks, including potential privacy breaches. Being aware of the risks inherent in the use of email can help nurses manage those…
Read MoreEmail, in some cases, may be the preferred option to communicate with patients or others efficiently and expeditiously. Before using email, it is important for nurses to be aware of the risks and alternative ways to transmit information. In addition to the privacy and confidentiality considerations set out in the infoLAW, The Legal Risks of…
Read MoreIncreasing numbers of nurses are using smartphones and other mobile devices to communicate with colleagues and patients by telephone, text message or email and even to photograph wounds or skin conditions. Understanding the risks involved in using mobile devices may prevent potential adverse personal and professional consequences. Risk Management Considerations Privacy Breaches Unauthorized disclosure of…
Read MoreThe term “app” became a catchphrase several years ago when Apple popularized the term through the company’s iTunes store. The term generally refers to small programs, called applications, developed specifically for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Potential Uses and Benefits of Mobile Health-care Apps Mobile health-care apps have been developed to provide health-care…
Read MoreTo protect the privacy of patients’ personal information and decrease their legal risks, nurses should be aware of the unique privacy issues related to the use of electronic medical records (EMRs). Privacy Risks Access Many EMR privacy breach cases involve inappropriate access. For example, a clerk in a plastic surgeon’s office repeatedly accessed the health…
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