Ethics in Healthcare

Question 1

What is the definition of ethics?

Answer 1

The study of standard of right and wrong in human behaviour.

Ethics also refers to a code of behaviour or conduct.

Question 2

What are morals?

Answer 2

Beliefs about what is right and wrong regarding how to treat others and behave in society.

Question 3

Define values.

Answer 3

Beliefs important to an individual that guide conduct and decision-making.

Question 4

What is a duty?

Answer 4

Obligations a person has in response to another’s claims.

Question 5

What is the ‘duty of care’?

Answer 5

A legal obligation of health care providers to care for their patients in a competent manner.

Question 6

What do formal codes of ethics articulate?

Answer 6

Values, guiding principles, and standards for ethical professional practice.

Question 7

List examples of ethical codes.

Answer 7

• The Oath of Hippocrates
• The original 1928 AMRLNA oath

Question 8

What is the primary ethical responsibility of HIM professionals?

Answer 8

To protect patient privacy and confidential information.

Question 9

What does autonomy refer to in ethics?

Answer 9

An individual’s right to determine what happens to them.

Question 10

What is beneficence?

Answer 10

Promotion of good for others, providing services that benefit others.

Question 11

Define nonmaleficence.

Answer 11

An intention not to harm, also known as ‘Do No Harm.’

Question 12

What is justice in the context of ethics?

Answer 12

Impartial and fair administration of office or activity.

Question 13

What is confidentiality?

Answer 13

The state of keeping or being kept secret or private.

Question 14

What is the importance of confidentiality?

Answer 14

• Right to privacy
• Trust in physician-patient relationship
• Informed decision making and consent
• Preventing harms from bias and discrimination

Question 15

Define security in health information management.

Answer 15

Protection of the privacy of health information to support the holding of information in confidence.

Question 16

What is the teleological theory?

Answer 16

Defines an action as right or wrong depending on the results it produces.

Question 17

What does deontological theory emphasize?

Answer 17

That a moral and honest action is taken, regardless of the outcome.

Question 18

What is the role of an ethics committee?

Answer 18

To listen to, evaluate, and make recommendations about acts perceived as unethical.

Question 19

What are the three categories of patients’ rights in health care?

Answer 19

• The right to health care
• The right to timely health care
• The right to privacy

Question 20

What is meant by ‘mature minor’ in health care ethics?

Answer 20

A patient who may not be able to vote but can have a say in medical decision making.

Question 21

What does palliative care address?

Answer 21

The physical and emotional needs of those who are dying.

Question 22

What ethical issues are associated with abortion?

Answer 22

• The right of the fetus to life
• The right of the woman to make decisions involving her own body

Question 23

What is genetic testing used for?

Answer 23

To learn whether individuals are at risk to themselves or to others.

Question 24

What is the ethical decision-making framework?

Answer 24

A process to address ethical questions by identifying stakeholders, gathering facts, and evaluating values.

Question 25

What is the ethical question in Scenario 1?

Answer 25

Whether assigning diagnosis codes to increase resource intensity weights is an ethical violation.

Question 26

In Scenario 2, is sharing your password with your supervisor ethical?

Answer 26

Yes, but it could violate organizational policies on password security.

Question 27

In Scenario 3, accessing a colleague's date of birth without consent is considered what?

Answer 27

An ethical violation.

Question 28

What should you do if you suspect a physician is committing fraud?

Answer 28

Recommend a review of the physician’s encounters to ensure coding accuracy.

Question 29

What is the ethical concern in Scenario 5 regarding timing orders?

Answer 29

The integrity of medical records and proper authentication practices.

Question 30

How can patients reverse their DNR request?

Answer 30

At any time.

Question 31

What is the recommended timing for completing authentication of medical orders?

Answer 31

Authentication should occur at or near the time of the event, not after discharge.

Question 32

When should medical orders be authenticated?

Answer 32

Orders should be authenticated when the orders were recorded, not after discharge.

Question 33

What should be done if there are questions about the timing of medical records?

Answer 33

Take the records to the Medical Record Committee for instructions.

Question 34

In Scenario 6, who is Mary in relation to the group members?

Answer 34

Mary is a cancer survivor and a friendly acquaintance of all the group members.

Question 35

What is the easiest way for the HIM professional to convey Mary's update?

Answer 35

Via the group’s private social networking site.

Question 36

What should the HIM professional explain to Mary regarding sharing information?

Answer 36

Any information sharing should come from her, as it’s important for patient privacy.

Question 37

What is one option for the HIM professional instead of using the social networking site?

Answer 37

Tell just a few of Mary’s friends whom she would want to inform.

Question 38

True or False: The HIM professional can post Mary’s update to the group page without concern.

Answer 38

False

Question 39

Fill in the blank: Medical orders should be authenticated when they are _______.

Answer 39

[recorded]

Question 40

What does HIM stand for?

Answer 40

[Health Information Management]