BHA FPX 4006 Assessment 1 Compliance Program Implementation and Ethical Decision-Making

Student Name

Capella University

BHA-FPX4006 Health Care Regulation and Compliance

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction

As a risk management and quality improvement professional at Vila Health’s community-based hospitals in Minnesota and Wisconsin, addressing a recent compliance breach is imperative. An inadvertent disclosure of protected patient health information by an employee has occurred, constituting a privacy breach and a violation of HIPAA regulations.

BHA FPX 4006 Assessment 1 Compliance Program Implementation and Ethical Decision-Making

Privacy Breach—HIPAA Violation

In the course of routine duties, an employee at Vila Health erroneously shared a patient’s protected health information while seeking pre-authorization for a surgical procedure. This action contravened HIPAA regulations, which were established in 1996 to safeguard patient data (Chen & Benusa, 2017). Non-compliance with HIPAA standards not only compromises patient privacy but also exposes Vila Health to legal ramifications, particularly under the HITECH Act (D’Arrigo, 2019).

Seven Essential Elements of an Effective Compliance Program

Compliance programs in healthcare facilities play a pivotal role in ensuring patient privacy and safety. Seven essential elements underpin an effective compliance program, including standards and procedures, designation of a compliance officer, and education initiatives (D’Arrigo, 2019).

Privacy Breach Consequences

HIPAA violations can lead to severe legal and financial penalties for healthcare facilities and their leadership, necessitating immediate corrective action to mitigate risks (D’Arrigo, 2019).

Evidence-Based Recommendations

Integrating Human Resources in investigating privacy breaches and conducting GAP analyses can bolster Vila Health’s compliance efforts and safeguard patient information (Stuart, 2019).

Ethical Decision-Making Framework for Health Care Leaders

Healthcare leaders must employ ethical decision-making frameworks to address conflicts effectively and ensure compliance with regulations (Nelson, 2015).

Conclusion

The incident underscores the importance of robust compliance measures in healthcare settings to uphold patient privacy and adhere to regulatory standards. By implementing evidence-based practices and ethical decision-making frameworks, Vila Health can mitigate risks and prevent future breaches.

References

Chen, J. Q., & Benusa, A. (2017). HIPAA security compliance challenges: The case for small healthcare providers. International Journal of Healthcare Management, 10(2), 135–146.

D’Arrigo, T. (2019). HHS Adjusts Penalties for HIPAA Violations. Psychiatric News, 54(13), 23–40.

Nelson, W. (2015). Making Ethical Decisions. A Guide to Sociological Thinking, 89–102.

BHA FPX 4006 Assessment 1 Compliance Program Implementation and Ethical Decision-Making

Stuart, L. (2019). Guidance for Psychologists on HIPAA Breach Notification Rule. PsycEXTRA Dataset, 10(1), 10–20. doi: 10.1037/e562802011-002.