Management and the Privacy Act of 1974

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Managers will also have to assist in physical barriers to protect personal identifying information. For instance, having the manpower could be simple enough; however, there may be easy access to the databases where this information is stored. The way managers would assist in protecting these would be strategically setting up counters, cypher locked doors, perhaps barrier windows, and the like to keep unauthorized individuals from entering the area where the databases are located. The records sections are the most vulnerable and by adding those locked doors and strategic counters it makes the patient feel more their information is protected.

Privacy Act is a government regulatory environment based on the Privacy Laws and Freedom of Information Act. Outside agencies like JCAHO go to health care organizations to inspect for malpractices, mishaps, safety concerns for patients, as well as ways for the organization to improve processes and do so by creating standards that are achievable, reasonable, and surveyable (The Joint Commission, n.d.). The Privacy Act and JCAHO can be linked by patient safety in the fact that usually in a healthcare organization there is a section specifically devoted to watching and reporting unauthorized access to patient files. These reports are shared to the highest level of management and further safeguards including re-training are implemented to avoid further occurrences.

The healthcare organization managers would have to make the standards of the Privacy Act the ground work for the organization as a whole. Patients would be unwilling to have their care provided there if it was not briefed or shown to them that their privacy was one of the organization’s main concerns. For example, the mission statement, philosophy or core values would make a short reference to the integrity of the organization and that patient’s privacy is one of the main goals. The actual details will be left to the sections, as I stated previously, for example, in the records section of a medical facility, there may be signs posted with information about the Privacy Act. Not only will they be located there but they may also be printed on forms for requesting records for the patient to read prior to signing off on requesting those records.

With the bits of information above, it is easy to see the complex management role in enabling and implementing the Privacy Act in the health care organization. There are many factors that must be taken into account in order to abide by the standards that are set from this outside organization. Again, being in any position of management is quite challenging. The position of the manager in the health care organization involves the broad view as well as the small technical views that need to be set up in order for the Privacy Act implementation to be successful. This involves funding for multiple points ranging from papers, to equipment, to software and even human resources. These are some of the many principles that are learned and followed based on experiences as a technician as well day by day experiences. Keeping in mind the goal of the organization and intertwining it with the standards of the Privacy Act will ensure satisfied patients and customers.

References

Data on Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act Provided by Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. (n.d.). Retrieved July 25, 2015. Http://www.gao.gov/products/LCD-78-119

Liebler, J.G, McConnell, C.R, (2012). Management Principles for Health Professionals. (6th ed.)

The Joint Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved July 25, 2015. Http://www.jointcommission.org/facts_about_joint_commission_accreditation_standards

The Privacy Act. (n.d.). Retrieved July 25, 2015. Http://foia.state.gov/Learn/PrivacyAct.aspx.