Safety, Quality, and Informatics
sdesimone
BSN-FP4006_TallarineSamantha_Assessment1-1.pptxNursing Practice and School Health Privacy
Samantha M. Tallarine
Capella University
BSN-FP4006
Policy, Law, Ethics, and Regulations
Health and Wellness Issues Affecting Adolescents
Mental Health
Early pregnancy and Childbirth
Alcohol and Drugs
Obesity
Bullying
HIV/AIDS and other Infectious Diseases
Mental health - According to the studies carried out by WHO, depression is one of the leading causes of illness among the adolescence, followed by suicide. Other factors such as poverty and humiliation can increase the risk of developing mental problems. However, creating life skills among adolescents and offering them psychological support in their institution and community, can help boost their mental health. Also, programs can be organized to create awareness among them regarding such issues and how to avoid them.
Early Pregnancy and Childbirth- It is evident that girls aged between 15-19 years die out of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth globally. However, approximately 11% of these girls are from the low and middle-income countries.
Alcohol and drugs - This is one of the primary concerns in most countries across the world. It reduces the self-control among adolescents and also exposes them to some risky activities such as reckless driving and unsafe sex.
Obesity – Due to an increase in technology, teenagers are more likely to spend time on their computers, phones, and playing video games than partaking in physical activity. On top of the increase of sedentary lifestyles, access to fast food is increasing adolescents chances of becoming obese. This places children at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes at a young age.
Bullying - one of the most significant issues adolescence are experiencing. This could come from their peers due to various factors like how they look, their backgrounds, or their academic excellence among other factors. In Australia, it is estimated that one out of six children is bullied. The influx of social media has increased the likelihood of being bullied because people do not have to do it face to face, and now can take place in cyber bullying all across the world.
HIV/AIDS- According to the estimation in 2016, 2.1 million adolescents were living with HIV. A good number of them were exposed to HIV/AIDS during birth and live with this status unaware.
2
Privacy Law and its impact on School Nurses
Definition
Refers to the laws that are aimed at regulating, storing and using personal information of individuals that that can be collectable to the government, public and private organization. It is considered in the context of a person privacy rights or at reasonable expectations of privacy.
Impact of privacy law to school nurse
It allows the nurse to retain the information regarding the patient and keep it confidential.
It also protects the nurse from community or peers who may need to access the information of a certain patient.
Students are also protected and their information is preserved as private and confidential and cannot be accessed without their consent.
CONT..
A patient’s right to privacy entails all confidential information that is related to the patient. When dealing with adolescence, it is essential to maintain this as many deal with several issues that require to be protected from their peers. As a school nurse, one needs to maintain a high degree of discretion, and storing the information of each patient without disclosure. All countries are seeking to ensure that privacy of every individual is being protected, and therefore, laws and regulations are being set to take care of such issues regarding the patients (Taylor, Williams & Blythe, 2015)
3
Laws that relate to adolescence safety and health
Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA).
It was approved by US legislature in 1966 to improve the effectiveness and efficiency in health care systems
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)
It is a state law that aims at protecting the student privacy in regard to education records
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
This law was formulated to safeguard the children aged below 13 years against site web operators.
Confidentiality issues are increased during the adolescence stage and can be critical barriers to the young adults when it comes to receiving health care. It should be noted that health care providers should be aware of laws that affect the confidentiality of the individuals. The Privacy rule, based on requirements contained in HIPPA of 1996 provides the protection against parents accessing protected health information for the young adults and liberated minors. It also protects them when a parent or guardian assents an agreement of confidentiality between the health care provider and the adolescent. On the other hand, FERPA gives parents and students’ basic rights such as right to inspect and evaluate all records of a student maintained by the school. Right to consent in writing to reveal some personal information from the records of students and many other rights. COPPA allows parents to have an access on what their children view online. Further, it requires that site operators give parents permission to evaluate any information obtained from their children.
4
Benefits of Privacy Laws
Privacy law is essential as it helps to encourage vital values such as
Personal independence
Respect
Dignity of human being
Cont...
5
Benefit to Students
Students are protected against malicious individuals and all their information is maintained as private and confidential.
They are also protected from site operators who may disclose or use their information for ill purposes. This is facilitated through COPPA law which allows parents to review all information on their children
The law offers freedom as they can do what they like under unfair influence or control
Security – students are not bothered since their information is protected. This could be either their health status or an issue they are struggling with
Benefits to School
The school is able to collect information that is relevant without being held liable
In cases, where some students are involved in crime activities it is allowed that such information br disclosed without limitations and the school will not be held liable
Cont…
It is the right of people to be free from intrusion into personal matters. The students’ privacy right covers education records, conducts and admission. When such is disclosed this is termed as violation of privacy rights. Also, in regard to benefit of privacy laws in schools is that it protects them. In cases of where a certain student is involved in crime such information can be disclosed and be helpful to the society. Additionally, the school nurses are also protected and have the right to preserve all the information of their patient (Smith & Stepanov, 2014).
6
Benefits to school nurse
They can freely maintain confidential information of their patient without being coerced to reveal such information
The privacy role is also of great benefit when dealing with parents of certain students who want critical information regarding their children who are not minors.
Develops trust
The Evidence-based ethical strategies
Electronic Health Records (EHR) and meaningful use
It increases the privacy of the students information especially on sensitive matters
Increases the accessibility to care among adolescence
Creating awareness to the parents and young adult on the policies and laws
Every body is aware of their rights
Nurses are able to work efficiently and with clear cut guidelines. Students may feel hesitant to seek healthcare advice because they are afraid of their parents being notified, but if we ensure them that we will keep the meeting as confidential as possible (barring any life threatening scenarios), they will feel more comfortable. Parents can also rest assured that their children will receive optimal healthcare in a safe space.
8
Conclusion
School nursing is a critical practice that ensures the wellness, lifelong achievement and the academic excellence of the students. Ensuring students are healthy and safe while in school should be the first priority for the school and health care providers.
Resources
Brewin, D., Koren, A., Morgan, B., Shipley, S., & Hardy, R. L. (2014). Behind closed doors: School nurses and sexual education. The Journal of School Nursing, 30(1), 31–41.
Smith, M. K., & Stepanov, N. (2014). School-based youth health nurses and adolescent decision-making concerning reproductive and sexual health advice: How can the law guide healthcare practitioners in this context? Contemporary Nurse: A Journal for the Australian Nursing Profession, 47(1/2), 42–50.
Taylor, J. F., Williams, R. L., & Blythe, M. J. (2015). Healthcare reform, EHRs, and adolescent confidentiality. Contemporary OB/GYN, 60(8), 34, 36–37.
