What is the ethical management of PHI?

A Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy states, “Ethics in data management can be defined as the principles and practices that guide the responsible collection, processing, storage, and use of data, with a focus on protecting individual rights and maintaining public trust.” Ethics is highly relevant to protected health information (PHI) management because it ensures that healthcare organizations respect patient privacy. They act as a guide in making decisions that prioritize patient care.

The ethical challenges of PHI management

Healthcare providers are tasked with securing PHI while leveraging this information for operational purposes. The dual responsibility can lead to conflicts when the pursuit of business goals, like marketing to new patients or promoting medication on behalf of pharmaceutical companies infringes on patient trust. 

Patients expect their PHI to be used only for their care and treatment (unless authorization is sought for marketing purposes). The nature of the modern healthcare sector means that this is not possible; information is often shared with various stakeholders, including insurers. Healthcare professionals are tasked with navigating consent requirements provided for under HIPAA and ensuring patients fully understand the implications of sharing their information in a way that constitutes informed consent.

The core principles of ethical management of PHI

1. Patients should have autonomy over their health information and be informed about how their data will be used.
2. Only the necessary amount of PHI should be collected and used for specific purposes to reduce risks.
3. PHI should only be used for the purposes it was collected, and patients should be aware of these uses.
4. Organizations should attempt to innovate while also protecting patient privacy.
5. The use of PHI for marketing or non-clinical purposes should only occur with explicit patient consent.
6. In the event of a breach, organizations must inform affected patients in line with handling breaches transparently. 

How ethical frameworks apply to PHI management

A principle-based approach is an ethical framework that includes key concepts apart from healthcare privacy and security. These include autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. The principles serve as a foundational guideline for healthcare professionals when making decisions regarding PHI management. An example of this is respect for patient autonomy involves recognizing individuals’ rights to control their health information and make informed choices about how it is used. 

The principle is complemented by the ethical obligations of beneficence and nonmaleficence which center around the need for healthcare professionals to act in the best interest of patients in all aspects of care. The ethical imperative to prevent harm goes beyond physical safety to include the possible infringements a breach of their private data could cause psychological harm. 

Related: HIPAA Compliant Email: The Definitive Guide

FAQs

What are the ethical principles promoted by the AMA? 

The American Medical Association promotes the ethical principles of patient autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.

What are the risks of not upholding ethical principles in medicine?

Failing to uphold ethical principles in medicine can lead to the compromise of care quality.