Ethical Considerations in

Nursing Informatics
This presentation will discuss the importance of ethical considerations in nursing
informatics and highlight best practices for ensuring ethical conduct.

Presented by:

• JULIET MUSANYI LUMBASI (20226318)

• AURELIA MONICA LUSIKE (20226479)
Objectives
• Differentiate between privacy, confidentiality, information privacy, and information security
• Discuss how information system security impacts privacy, confidentiality, and security
• Identify potential threats to system security and information
• Discuss security measures designed to protect information
• Compare and contrast available methods of authentication in terms of security levels, costs,
and ease of use
• Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate password selection and handling
Key Concepts in Information Security

1. Privacy: Ensuring the protection and proper use of personal information

2. Confidentiality: Safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access

3. Information Privacy: Preserving the privacy of individuals' personal information

4. Information Security: Protecting information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure,

disruption, modification, or destruction

The Impact of Information System

Security
• Privacy: How information system security measures can safeguard personal information
• Confidentiality: Ensuring the protection of sensitive data from unauthorized disclosure
• Security: Safeguarding information from threats and ensuring its integrity and availability

Potential Threats to System Security

• Malware attacks
• Social engineering
• Unauthorized access
• Data breaches
Introduction to Nursing Informatics
Defining Nursing
Informatics
Nursing informatics is the
combination of nursing
science, computer science,
and information science to
manage and process nursing
data, information, and
knowledge to support patient
care.
Role in Healthcare
Nursing informatics plays a
vital role in healthcare by
enhancing patient safety,
quality of care, and promoting
efficient workflows and
communication between
healthcare providers.
Healthcare Informatics
Healthcare informatics
encompasses all aspects of
healthcare that involve the
collection, storage, and
processing of data, including
electronic health records
(EHR), medical imaging and
diagnostics, and healthcare
information exchanges (HIE).
Ethical Principles in Nursing Informatics
1 Autonomy
Promoting patient autonomy by
ensuring informed consent and patient
privacy.
3 Justice
Ensuring equitable and fair distribution
of resources and access to care.
5 Confidentiality
The ethical principle that health
professional will hold secret all
information relating to a patient, unless
the patient gives consent permitting
disclosure.
7 Anonymity
It allows the subject to remain nameless and unidentified.
2 Beneficence
Promoting patient well-being and
preventing harm.
4 Fidelity
Maintaining trust and honesty in all
professional relationships.
6 Consent
it refers to an agreement, approval, or
permission given voluntarily by a
competent person that permits some acts
for some stated purpose.
The Importance of Ethical
Considerations in Nursing Informatics

Patient Safety Public Trust

Ensuring ethical conduct in nursing Ethical conduct in nursing informatics
informatics promotes patient safety and can promotes public trust and confidence in
prevent adverse events caused by incorrect healthcare organizations and professionals.
or incomplete data.

Legal Compliance Clinical Outcomes

Adherence to ethical guidelines and best By ensuring ethical conduct in nursing
practices for nursing informatics can informatics, healthcare providers can
prevent legal and regulatory issues and improve clinical outcomes and promote
protect against potential liabilities. better patient care.
Ethical Challenges in Nursing
Informatics
1 Data Privacy
Ensuring patient data privacy is protected and compliant with laws and regulations.

2 Data Ownership
Determining who has ownership of patient data and how to share data between
healthcare providers and organizations.

3 Data Integrity
Ensuring that data is accurate, complete, and up-to-date, and that the information is
shared only with authorized persons.
Best Practices for Ensuring Ethical
Conduct in Nursing Informatics

Data Security Patient-Centered Care Collaboration

Implement secure systems to
safeguard patient data and
comply with legal and
regulatory requirements.
Ensure patient privacy,
autonomy, and dignity while
using health informatics tools
to support patient-centered
care.
Promote interprofessional
collaboration and
communication to ensure
ethical and effective use of
healthcare informatics.
Security Measures
Steps to enhance security:

1. Assessment of risks and assets

2. Development of an organizational security plan

3. Cultivating a security-focused culture

4. Establishment and enforcement of security policies
Threats to system security and
information
i)Hackers and crackers

ii)Flooding sites

iii)Denial of service attacks

iv)Power flunctuations

v) Human error
Enhanced Security Measures
Our organization is committed to providing the highest level of security. Here are some of the
measures we take:

• Firewalls: Barriers created from software and hardware

• Antivirus and spyware detection
• User sign-on and passwords or other means of identity management
• Access on a need-to-know basis: Level of access is granted based on job requirements
• Autonomic sign-off
• Physical restrictions to system access
Password Best Practices
• Choose a strong and unique password
• Safeguard your password and keep it confidential
• Regularly update your password to enhance security
Biometrics
Biometrics is a form of identification that relies on unique biological traits such as:

• Fingerprint recognition • Voice or iris pattern recognition

• Face recognition • Hand geometry
The Impacts of the Internet
The internet brings forth various challenges and risks that need to be addressed:

• Email and instant messages may inadvertently expose personal health information to
unauthorized individuals.
• Unapproved use of messages or websites can introduce malicious programs that compromise
data security.
• Websites used for personal health information may be vulnerable to unauthorized access.

It is crucial to adhere to ethical guidelines when utilizing technology in nursing informatics.

Principles of Security
1. Consent: An organization should demonstrate compliance with applicable laws, ensuring that
patients are aware of the defined purposes for which their information will be used.

2. Limiting Collection: Organizations should only collect personal health information that is
necessary for the identified purposes.

3. Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention: Once organizations have obtained consent and identified
the purposes for collecting personal information, they should limit its use, disclosure, and retention.

4. Accuracy: Ensuring accuracy is essential in the delivery of healthcare as a fair information practice.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways from
the Presentation
1 Key Takeaways
Effective ethical considerations in
nursing informatics are crucial for
promoting patient safety, maintaining
public trust, and improving clinical
outcomes.
2 Final Notes
Healthcare providers must ensure that
ethical considerations are integrated into
every aspect of healthcare informatics to
ensure that patient data and privacy is
protected, and that the healthcare system
continues to deliver high-quality care.
thank you for listening 😊