Informatics and ethics, the reference for this presentation, unless otherwise noted is chapters eight through ten of the Optional Hoyt text. Building on the informatic framework of data information and knowledge in the context of ethics leaves us to consider the notion that knowledge is power. The dynamics of power remind us that we healthcare informatisis should structure and use data, information, and knowledge, ethically and responsibly. In this presentation, we will consider three key points. Principles and codes of ethics, laws, privacy and security, and voice. Recall your professional code of ethics. What does ethical practice of informatics mean to you and how does it relate to your own professional ethics? Key point one, principles and codes of ethics. Information ethics, as we know it today, is relatively new. And is heavily influenced by the access to information that is enabled by technology and the internet. In 1997, Severson introduced four principles of information ethics. Respect for information property, respect for privacy, fair representation, and non-maleficence. You may wish to explore some of the activities of these international informational ethics organizations and a brief history of information ethics at these websites. The International Medical Informatics Association Code of Ethics for Health Information Professionals was authored by Canadian professor Dr Kluge in collaboration with the International Medical Informatics Association work group on data protection and health information. As well as numerous individuals, agencies, and organizations. It was endorsed by IMIA in 2002. It is available online in Croatian, Czech, Dutch, English, Japanese, Korean, Portugese, Russian and Spanish. It was reviewed in 2011. Applying these principles in healthcare informatics is a special case because of the realtionship between the EHR and the patient. Because patient information is private, and because information forms the basis of decisions that have a profound impact on the welfare of the patient. In addition, these datas are used to guide policy in health care institutions, governments and other agencies. The IMIA code of ethics includes principles of information, privacy and disposition, openness, security, access, legitimate infringement, least intrusive alternative and accountability. These principles relate to the notion, that all persons have a fundamental right to privacy. And hence, to control over the collection, storage, access, use, communication, manipulation and disposition of data about themselves. Key point two, laws privacy, and security. To ensure this fundamental right to privacy, the United States government passed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in 1996. A major goal of HIPAA privacy rule is to ensure that individual's health information is properly protected. While allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care. And to protect the public's health and well being. Similar laws have been enacted by countries around the world. The HIPAA rule is far reaching. Take a moment to explore special topics of health information privacy in various settings. In January of 2013, the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights announce that a final rule has been enacted. That implements provisions of the high tech act under HIPAA. The final omnivous rule greatly enhances a patient's privacy protection. Provides individuals new rights to their health information, and strengthens the government's ability to enforce the law. Key point three, voice. To add an inter professional dimension to our ethics conversation. Let's consider the collaborative work inspired by a 1997 editorial in the British Medical Journal titled An Ethical Code for Everybody in Healthcare. This editorial suggested that care of patients was now influenced by so many complex interactions that an ethical code generated by a single profession was no longer a sufficient moral compass. In response, the Tavistock group proposed ethical principles for every one in healthcare. The principles consider health and healthcare a right, and support balance in the distribution of resources for health to both individual and populations. Comprehensiveness of care, responsibility for continuous efforts to improve care, safety of care, openness in care delivery. And cooperation with those who receive care, among those who deliver care, and with others outside the health care delivery system. Cooperation is seen as the central principle. The challenge of cooperation with those who receive care, among those who deliver care. And with others, outside direct healthcare delivery can be addressed through shared EHR and shared language. Informatic tools can help transcend silos, promote shared understanding and give voice to patients and healthcare professionals alike. Clearly, there is a role for informaticists in the ethical discourse of healthcare informatics. We are needed, because we can envision the future of shared information and use our tools to show the way. In this presentation, we considered three key points. Principles and codes of ethics, laws, privacy and security, and voice. These key points are fundamental to understanding the ethics of interprofessional healthcare informatics.
