THE ATTITUDE OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATIENT INFORMATION

THE ATTITUDE OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL IN THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATIENT INFORMATION: A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT TEACHING HOSPITAL [UPTH]

ABSTRACT: The study investigated the attitude of Health Information Management personnel towards the confidentiality of patient information using UPTH Port Harcourt in Rivers state as the focal point. The research instrument was well-validated; the questionnaire was prepared and administered accordingly. The questionnaire was the main instrument use to collect data from the respondent in the university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital and the sample method was done randomly. A total number of 210 questionnaires were distributed to the respondent and 200 were retrieved, The method that was used to analyze the collected data was a descriptive statistics of frequency. The objective is to determine the attitude of health information personnel toward the confidentially of patient information, the result of the finding shows that proper seminar/workshop and professional ethics of health information managers will enhance a good job delivery on patient confidentiality. I recommend that the government should carry out a sensitization campaign in all hospitals on proper storage and handling of patient records, through seminars, workshops, symposia, and ensuring that health administrators are well enlightened on the benefits and effects of health data.

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CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital is managed through a three-tier managerial system consisting – the Board of Management, Hospital Management Committee (HMC) and the Departments. Nearly 200,000 patients are seen annually in both outpatient and inpatient settings, as well as over 3000 surgical operations a year. Average bed occupancy rate in 12 months has risen above 70%. Besides offering medical services, the hospital tends to provide clinical education and training to students, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Over the years, many research activities and results from its organized units have appeared on several major national and international medical and scientific journals.

“Confidentiality” according to Merriam Webster Dictionary, (2018) means showing that you are saying something that is secret or private or trusted with secret or private information

Confidentiality is an essential part of the bond of trust that exists between doctor and patient. Failure to maintain confidentiality may mean a patient is reluctant to reveal private or sensitive information that you may need to know in order to treat them appropriately.

The need for preservation and security of patients’ records cannot be overemphasized. Patient records are of great importance to every health institution, and records are kept and managed by the health administrators in the health records unit.

A patient’s right to privacy involves the confidentiality of information related to the patient and bodily privacy of the patient From a historical perspective, an overview of legal instruments related to patient rights show that privacy and confidentiality of private life were involved in all relevant instruments (i.e. American Hospital Association’s Patient’s Bill of Rights 1972, World Medical Association’s Declaration of Lisbon on the Rights of the Patient 1981, Amsterdam Declaration on the Promotion of Patients’ Rights in Europe 1994, Bali Declaration 1995, European Charter of Patients’ Rights 2002).

Confidentiality and privacy are vital for establishing and maintaining an effective and respectful clinical relationship. The right to privacy constitutes a social merit as it encourages the explicit discussion of health-related problems between clinicians and patients. Privacy requires

physicians to keep confidential information that patients provide or they obtain in their professional interaction with patients (Braunack-Mayer et al., 2003).

Privacy is important as it provides a secure environment for patients where they receive medical care and provide complete and accurate information, and which reinforces confidence in health care and emphasizes the importance of respect for patient autonomy (Beauchamp, 2009).

Health information management (HIM) is information management applied to health and health care. It is the practice of acquiring, analyzing and protecting digital and traditional medical information that is vital to providing quality patient care.  With the widespread computerization of health records, traditional (paper-based) records are being replaced with electronic health records (EHRs). The tools of health informatics and health information technology are continually improving to bring greater efficiency to information management in the health care sector. Both hospital information systems and Human Resource for Health Information System (HRHIS) are common implementations of HIM.

Health information management professionals plan information systems, develop health policy, and identify current and future information needs. In addition, they may apply the science of informatics to the collection, storage, analysis, use, and transmission of information to meet legal, professional, ethical and administrative records-keeping requirements of health care delivery (World Health Organization, 2010).

1.2    STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The attitude of health administrator (health information management) has lead to litigation by patients’ in the hospital. It has led to distrust between patients and health professionals in the hospital. It has enhances stigmatization of patients privacy due to exposure of staff records on medically challenged issues.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of the research is to assess the attitude of health information managers towards patients’ health records in the hospital.

1. To find out the role of confidentiality in proper record keeping by health administrators (health information management) in the hospital.
2. To determine the frequency of disclosure of patient details to third party.
3. To describe the concept of privacy and confidentiality.
4. To evaluate patients’ right to privacy and confidentiality

1.4    SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The study is to enhance the health administrators (health information management) on the importance of confidentiality of patients’ records, and adequate security of third-party invasion of patients record in Health institutions.

It also review proper attitude of health information managers towards patient documents and proper delivery of effective health information when needed, and which will enhance adequate confidentiality of patient health records.

1.5    RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the likely effects of disclosure of patients’ records by the health administrator (health information management) to third-party?
2. Determination of the frequency at which patients’ information is disclosed or not kept secret?
3. What are the main purposes of proper preservation of patients’ records in health institution?
4. Can letting out staff information bring problem and litigation on hospital administrative process?

1.6    SCOPE OF STUDY

The study is based on health information manager’s attitude towards effective preservation of health records of patients’ in the university of Port Harcourt teaching hospital, Rivers State.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

• Attitude: It is a complex mental state involving belief and feelings to acts in certain ways.
• Records: It is a sum total of all staff documents, which will enhance promotion and functionality of all staffs in the hospital.
• Health: It is a complete state of physically mental and social well-being not merely the absence of disease or infirmities.
• Hospital: It is a health facility where patients receive treatment.
• Litigation: A legal proceeding in a court.
• Suit: It is a comprehensive term for any proceeding in court.
• Patient: An individual who have an illness and when to acquire treatment in a hospital.
• Privacy:  A state in which one is not disturb by other people.
• Confidentiality: A state keeping or being kept or private.
• Health information: Is information applied to health and health care.
• Management: The organization and cuduration of  activities of a business in order to achieve defined objective.
• Computerization:  To control perform, process or store (a system, operation or information) by means of or in an electronic computer.
• Security:  The state of being free from danger or threat
• Patients: A person who require medical care or a person receiving medical or dental care or treatment