How many nurses have been terminated for inappropriate social media use in the United States? What types of sanctions have health care organizations imposed on interdisciplinary team members who have violated social media policies? What have been the financial penalties assessed against health care organizations for inappropriate social media use?

/in /by

Protected Health Information (PHI): Privacy, Security, and Confidentiality Best Practices

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare a 2-page interprofessional staff update on HIPAA and appropriate social media use in health care.

Introduction

As you begin to consider the assessment, it would be an excellent choice to complete the Breach of Protected Health Information (PHI) activity. The activity will support your success with the assessment by creating the opportunity for you to test your knowledge of potential privacy, security, and confidentiality violations of protected health information. The activity is not graded and counts towards course engagement.

Health professionals today are increasingly accountable for the use of protected health information (PHI). Various government and regulatory agencies promote and support privacy and security through a variety of activities. Examples include:

  • Meaningful use of electronic health records (EHR).
  • Provision of EHR incentive programs through Medicare and Medicaid.
  • Enforcement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules.
  • Release of educational resources and tools to help providers and hospitals address privacy, security, and confidentiality risks in their practices.

Technological advances, such as the use of social media platforms and applications for patient progress tracking and communication, have provided more access to health information and improved communication between care providers and patients.

At the same time, advances such as these have resulted in more risk for protecting PHI. Nurses typically receive annual training on protecting patient information in their everyday practice. This training usually emphasizes privacy, security, and confidentiality best practices such as:

  • Keeping passwords secure.
  • Logging out of public computers.
  • Sharing patient information only with those directly providing care or who have been granted permission to receive this information.

Today, one of the major risks associated with privacy and confidentiality of patient identity and data relates to social media. Many nurses and other health care providers place themselves at risk when they use social media or other electronic communication systems inappropriately. For example, a Texas nurse was recently terminated for posting patient vaccination information on Facebook. In another case, a New York nurse was terminated for posting an insensitive emergency department photo on her Instagram account.

Health care providers today must develop their skills in mitigating risks to their patients and themselves related to patient information. At the same time, they need to be able distinguish between effective and ineffective uses of social media in health care.

This assessment will require you to develop a staff update for the interprofessional team to encourage team members to protect the privacy, confidentiality, and security of patient information.

Preparation

To successfully prepare to complete this assessment, complete the following:

  • Review the infographics on protecting PHI provided in the resources for this assessment, or find other infographics to review. These infographics serve as examples of how to succinctly summarize evidence-based information.
    • Analyze these infographics and distill them into five or six principles of what makes them effective. As you design your interprofessional staff update, apply these principles. Note: In a staff update, you will not have all the images and graphics that an infographic might contain. Instead, focus your analysis on what makes the messaging effective.
  • Select from any of the following options, or a combination of options, the focus of your interprofessional staff update:
    • Social media best practices.
    • What not to do: social media.
    • Social media risks to patient information.
    • Steps to take if a breach occurs.
  • Conduct independent research on the topic you have selected in addition to reviewing the suggested resources for this assessment. This information will serve as the source(s) of the information contained in your interprofessional staff update. Consult the BSN Program Library Research Guide for help in identifying scholarly and/or authoritative sources.

Instructions

In this assessment, assume you are a nurse in an acute care, community, school, nursing home, or other health care setting. Before your shift begins, you scroll through Facebook and notice that a coworker has posted a photo of herself and a patient on Facebook. The post states, “I am so happy Jane is feeling better. She is just the best patient I’ve ever had, and I am excited that she is on the road to recovery.”

You have recently completed your annual continuing education requirements at work and realize this is a breach of your organization’s social media policy. Your organization requires employees to immediately report such breaches to the privacy officer to ensure the post is removed immediately and that the nurse responsible receives appropriate corrective action.

You follow appropriate organizational protocols and report the breach to the privacy officer. The privacy officer takes swift action to remove the post. Due to the severity of the breach, the organization terminates the nurse.

Based on this incident’s severity, your organization has established a task force with two main goals:

  • Educate staff on HIPAA and appropriate social media use in health care.
  • Prevent confidentiality, security, and privacy breaches.

The task force has been charged with creating a series of interprofessional staff updates on the following topics:

  • Social media best practices.
  • What not to do: Social media.
  • Social media risks to patient information.
  • Steps to take if a breach occurs.

You are asked to select one or more of the topics and create the content for a staff update containing a maximum of two content pages. This assessment is not a traditional essay. It is a staff educational update about PHI. Consider creating a flyer, pamphlet, or PowerPoint slide. Remember it should not be more than two pages (excluding a title and a reference page).

The task force has asked team members assigned to the topics to include the following content in their updates in addition to content on their selected topics:

  • What is protected health information (PHI)?
    • Be sure to include essential HIPAA information.
  • What are privacy, security, and confidentiality?
    • Define and provide examples of privacy, security, and confidentiality concerns related to the use of technology in health care.
    • Explain the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to safeguard sensitive electronic health information.
  • What evidence relating to social media usage and PHI do interprofessional team members need to be aware of? For example:
    • How many nurses have been terminated for inappropriate social media use in the United States?
    • What types of sanctions have health care organizations imposed on interdisciplinary team members who have violated social media policies?
    • What have been the financial penalties assessed against health care organizations for inappropriate social media use?
    • What evidence-based strategies have health care organizations employed to prevent or reduce confidentiality, privacy, and security breaches, particularly related to social media usage?

Notes

  • Your staff update is limited to two double-spaced content pages. Be selective about the content you choose to include in your update so you can meet the page length requirement. Include need-to-know information. Omit nice-to-know information.
  • Many times people do not read staff updates, do not read them carefully, or do not read them to the end. Ensure your staff update piques staff members’ interest, highlights key points, and is easy to read. Avoid overcrowding the update with too much content.
  • Also, supply a separate reference page that includes two or three peer-reviewed and one or two non-peer-reviewed resources (for a total of 3–5 resources) to support the staff update content.

Additional Requirements

  • Written communication: Ensure the staff update is free from errors that detract from the overall message.
  • Submission length: Maximum of two double-spaced content pages.
  • Font and font size: Use Times New Roman, 12-point.
  • Citations and references: Provide a separate reference page that includes 2–3 current, peer-reviewed and 1–2 current, non-peer-reviewed in-text citations and references (total of 3–5 resources) that support the staff update’s content. Current means no older than 5 years.
  • APA 7TH EDITION format: Be sure your citations and references adhere to APA format. Consult the Evidence and APA page for an APA refresher.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:

  • Competency 1: Describe nurses’ and the interdisciplinary team’s role in informatics with a focus on electronic health information and patient care technology to support decision making.
    • Describe the security, privacy, and confidentially laws related to protecting sensitive electronic health information that govern the interdisciplinary team.
    • Explain the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to safeguard sensitive electronic health information.
  • Competency 2: Implement evidence-based strategies to effectively manage protected health information.
    • Identify evidence-based approaches to mitigate risks to patients and health care staff related to sensitive electronic health information.
    • Develop a professional, effective staff update that educates interprofessional team members about protecting the security, privacy, and confidentiality of patient data, particularly as it pertains to social media usage.
  • Competency 5: Apply professional, scholarly communication to facilitate use of health information and patient care technologies.
    • Follow APA style and formatting guidelines for citations and references.
    • Create a clear, concise, well-organized, and professional staff update that is generally free from errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

 

Analyse and evaluate the key research methods used to inform and aspect of healthcare practice. Critically evaluate the principal approaches taken to research ethics within the papers considered. Systematically and creatively evaluate the current state of the key evidence relating to your topic.

/in /by

The realities of Medication Adherence Among People with Schizophrenia: A Literature Review

What am I required to do in this assignment?
You are required to critically appraise the research evidence (which includes both quantitative and qualitative methodologies), of mental health nursing knowledge in subject area of your interest, in addition to demonstrating an understanding of the relevant ethical issues raised within your chosen area of nursing practice.

You will need to:
• Identify and focus on a specific area of mental health nursing practice, that is associated with practice and/or patients
• Give a concise account of your literature search and findings in relation to that area of mental health nursing practice
• From your literature search Identify four pieces of primary research which include quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Critically appraise the research evidence in relation to your chosen area of mental health nursing practice
• Critique the methodological approaches taken by researchers in respect of your area of nursing practice.
• Include a critical discussion of steps taken to address relevant ethical issues

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)
• Analyse and evaluate the key research methods used to inform and aspect of healthcare practice.
• Critically evaluate the principal approaches taken to research ethics within the papers considered.
• Systematically and creatively evaluate the current state of the key evidence relating to your topic.

How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?
• You will need to demonstrate critical and innovative thinking and the ability to challenge ideas and concepts. Your arguments must be logical, and your conclusions must be supported with appropriate evidence.

• You must present a critical analysis and synthesis of the research methodologies and methods used in your chosen research papers. These will need to include both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

• You must present a critical analysis and synthesis of the ethical principles in relation to research in your chosen area of nursing.

• You will need to read widely so that you can demonstrate the required understanding of complex concepts and ideas. You will need to access and appraise good quality literature and apply it effectively to support your discussion. Referencing must be accurate and follow referencing guidelines.

• Your work will need to be clearly and logically structured and presented using a good academic writing style. You will need to demonstrate clear verbal communication and appropriate professional written expression.

What are the potential ethical and legal implications for each of the following practice members? hat strategies would you implement to prevent further episodes of potentially illegal behavior? What leadership qualities would you apply to effect a positive change in the practice?

/in /by

Reflection on Learning

You are a family nurse practitioner employed in a busy primary care office. The providers in the group include one physician and three nurse practitioners. The back office staff includes eight medical assistants who assist with patient care as well as filing, answering calls from patients, processing laboratory results and taking prescription renewal requests from patients and pharmacies. Stephanie, a medical assistant, has worked in the practice for 10 years and is very proficient at her job. She knows almost every patient in the practice, and has an excellent rapport with all of the providers.

Mrs. Smith was seen today in the office for an annual physical. Her last appointment was a year ago for the same reason. During this visit, Mrs. Smith brought an empty bottle of amoxicillin with her and asked if she could have a refill. You noted the patient’s name on the label, and the date on the bottle was 1 week ago. You also noted your name printed on the label as the prescriber. The patient admitted that she called last week concerned about her cough and spoke to Stephanie. You do not recall having discussed this patient with Stephanie nor do the other providers in the practice.

Questions:
What are the potential ethical and legal implications for each of the following practice members?

-Medical assistant
-Nurse Practitioner
-Medical Director
-Practice

What strategies would you implement to prevent further episodes of potentially illegal behavior?
What leadership qualities would you apply to effect a positive change in the practice?  Be thinking about the culture of the practice.

Discuss the technical aspects of your topic in general terms. Discuss the public policy debates relevant to the topic you choose. Express your personal opinion regarding the topic’s importance and the validity of the pro and con arguments.

/in /by

ORGAN DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION

Final Term Paper Instructions

Write the final draft of term paper. The term paper should include;
Discuss the technical aspects of your topic in general terms.
Discuss the public policy debates relevant to the topic you choose. This section should cover arguments that favor and oppose the use of the techniques or products.
Express your personal opinion regarding the topic’s importance and the validity of the pro and con arguments.

Identify which methodology (qualitative versus quantitative) was used in the articles selected, and whether the authors justified the choice of design as appropriate for answering the research question(s), aims or hypothesis. Identify how the author(s) justified the sampling method, location and means of recruiting participants.

/in /by

Clinical research articles

In this assignment, you are required to critically appraise 2 peer reviewed journal articles using the criteria given in the rubric. You must select 1 evidence of your own choosing and another article from the list provided. You are required to critically appraise, compare, evaluate the credibility and applicability of evidence. The 2 articles must be attached with this assignment.

Assessment criteria
• Select two peer reviewed research articles in relation to the topic of your interest in the context of health/nursing.
• Select a minimum additional 8 literature/research articles that provide the strongest evidence for your topic to support your analysis. Your articles must be ≤ 7 years old.
• Your assignment must have an introduction, body and a conclusion.
• USE APA FORMAT. Information cited from unreliable websites, pamphlets or magazines is not acceptable for this paper
• The assignment will be marked according to the rubric below.

Assessment Guide/ Appraisal Tool
The critical appraisal tool is provided as an aid which you might like to use when analyzing the article(s). You might find it useful to use these sub-headings to appraise, compare and evaluate your selected articles using the following items.

• Authorship
Consider the strengths and limitations of the authors’ expertise, based on their cited qualifications and affiliations and whether there might be possible conflicts of interest for possible grounds for bias in the paper.

• Research Questions, aims/objectives or hypotheses
Identify the research questions/s, aims or hypotheses underpinning the research and discuss how the author’s justification of their study. That is, 1), the significance of the research topic or problem is identified 2) the research topic is discussed, 3) gaps in the research /literature on the topic have been identified.

• Research Design
Identify which methodology (qualitative versus quantitative) was used in the articles selected, and whether the authors justified the choice of design as appropriate for answering the research question(s), aims or hypothesis.

• Data Collection
Identify how the author(s) justified the sampling method, location and means of recruiting participants.

• Data Analysis
Identify whether the author(s) used any software (NVivo in qualitative study /SPSS in quantitative study) or theoretical construct (in qualitative study) and conceptual framework in (in quantitative study) to analyse their study.

• Discussion
Identify whether the author(s) had made any limitation/recommendation of the research.
(Students can identify their own recommendation if in their opinions, the 2 selected articles have not sufficiently identified this dimension)

What are the top 3 differentials you would consider with the presumptive final diagnosis listed first? What focused physical exam findings would be beneficial to know? What diagnostic testing needs completed if any to confirm diagnosis?

/in /by

Abdominal pain

An 18-year-old white female presents to your clinic today with a 2-week history of intermittent abdominal pain. She also is positive for periodic cramping and diarrhea as well as low grade fever. She also notes reduced appetite. She notes that She admits smoking ½ PPD for the last 2 years. Denies any illegal drug or alcohol use. Does note a positive history of Crohn’s Disease. Based on the information provided answer the following questions:

What are the top 3 differentials you would consider with the presumptive final diagnosis listed first?

What focused physical exam findings would be beneficial to know?

What diagnostic testing needs completed if any to confirm diagnosis?

Using evidence based treatment guidelines note a treatment plan.

Identify the National Health Priority Areas (NHPA) and discuss their impact on a person’s health status. Discuss socio-cultural and lifestyle issues that may predispose a person to an alteration in health. Identify factors associated with the early recognition of deteriorating patients.

/in /by

Nursing case study

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• Identify the National Health Priority Areas (NHPA) and discuss their impact on a person’s health status.
• Discuss socio-cultural and lifestyle issues that may predispose a person to an alteration in health.
• Identify factors associated with the early recognition of deteriorating patients.
• Identify factors associated with the early recognition of sepsis in the acute care environment.

Instructions
You must watch the video of an interview with Justin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quGpKFbVrf4

Introduction (guide 150 words)
A. Introduce the presenting case. Begin with the patient’s (Justin’s) details, name, gender, age, and presenting health condition as well as the acute alteration(s) in health impacting the patient (Justin’s) health condition.
B. Name the NHPA Justin’s acute alteration falls under.
C. Introduce that this case study will focus on the importance of preventing further deterioration in Justin’s condition.

Body (guide 900- 1200 words)
A. Provide evidence showing how the NHPA related to Justin’s condition (s) impacts a person’s health status in Australia. (100 words)
B. Describe the signs and symptoms you might expect to see in a deteriorating patient presenting with Justin’s condition (s). (200 words)
C. Describe and explain how any of the lifestyle factors of alcohol, tobacco, insufficient exercise, obesity are impacting Justin’s presenting acute alteration in health. (200-300 words)
D. Discuss how Justin might continue to deteriorate if he is not able to manage or overcome the lifestyle factors impacting his acute alteration in health. (200-300 words)
E. Identify signs and symptoms of sepsis that may relate to Justin’s condition if
he continues to deteriorate further. (200-300 words)

Conclusion (guide 150 words)
Provide a paragraph concluding your case study and conveying the most important points of the case study to the reader. Think about what you want the reader to take away with them from this case study

Outline relevant policy or guidelines related to integrating the physical and mental health needs of the client group. Discuss the effectiveness of current practice and potential barriers to integration of care that may exist based on appropriate literature. Consider how nurses might address stigma that could affect the client group in the given scenario.

/in /by

Physical and mental health

The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate understanding of the need to address both physical and mental health needs when providing care across a range of patient and client groups. You will be given a scenario based on a patient or client from your field of practice. You will then:

• Outline relevant policy or guidelines related to integrating the physical and mental health needs of the client group.
• Discuss the effectiveness of current practice and potential barriers to integration of care that may exist based on appropriate literature.
• Consider how nurses might address stigma that could affect the client group in the given scenario.

The word limit for this piece of work is 2000 words.

SCENARIO:
A retired miner who suffers from a long-term occupational lung disease is now housebound and dependent on long term oxygen therapy. He lives alone and finds it difficult to mobilise around his house. He has few family or friends nearby as they-have all “moved away”.

He used to love going to see the local football team and visiting his local pub but now finds that impossible. He does not see anyone for days at a time and feels isolated.

What is Quality Improvement? What is leadership? Critically analyse the leadership approach you have used. Critically discuss how this project and your leadership approach will production in health care.

/in /by

Name badge/ patient tracking board in emergency department/call bell.

Introduction

• What is Quality Improvement?

• What is leadership?

• Critically analyse the leadership approach you have used.

• Consider your role as a leader in this project (even if you do not think you are specifically a leader in your role).

• Demonstrate your leadership approach to this project and it’s implementation.

• Show specific discussions about leadership, including barriers and enablers to change and how you would work with these.

• Critically discuss how this project and your leadership approach will production in health care.

• Conclusion improve patient care and the service

• You must demonstrate the importance of service-user involvement and co-

• A summary of the arguments/discussions (nothing new should be introduced during your conclusion).

• How will the understanding you have gained influence your practice.

• Relate this back to the NMC code. • References

• Roughly 30 references for the 3000 words.

Develop a business case for the initiative you proposed in Assessment 1. Examine feasibility and cost-benefit considerations over a 5-year period, analyze ways to mitigate risks, and complete a cost-benefit analysis.

/in /by

Developing a Business Case

Develop a 4-7-page business case for the initiative you proposed in Assessment 1. Examine feasibility and cost-benefit considerations over a 5-year period, analyze ways to mitigate risks, and complete a cost-benefit analysis.