Advances of Information Technology free essay sample

Advances of Information Technology Kea Brown BIS/220 January 11, 2014 Instructor: Michael Fisher University of Phoenix Advances of Information Technology The context of this paper will provide the reader with insight on the advances of technology that resulted in new ethical issues necessitating the creation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, 1996 (HIPAA) and the Children’s Internet Protection Act, 2000 (CIPA). These two topics are focused on providing privacy and accuracy of individuals’ personal information. This paper will be broken into three separate sections. Section one of the paper will be in reference to HIPAA, section two will be about the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and finally section three will end with a brief conclusion of how ethical issues due to advances in Information Technology (IT) call for the creation of new acts as it protects consumers. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, 1996 The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was planned with the purpose of assuring health care coverage to employees after separating from a job. We will write a custom essay sample on Advances of Information Technology or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Steven Hastert states the foundation of HIPAA accelerated from the early 1990s, when it first became evident that the medical care industry would become more efficient by computerizing medical records. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has mandated HIPAA to only be viewed by using a secured network . Therefore, HIPAA must use a strong security software. It is also geared towards allowing the transition of medical records easier to move from one medical entity to another. This would eliminating the patient having to get hard copies of his/her chart when in need of seeing a diverse group of medical professionals. For instance, if a person needs to see a specialist for his/her medical concern, the patient medical records are accessible for both the primary care physician and specialist to view. Since the evolving of HIPAA, physicians have the ability to view patient records and test results over a secured network even if physicians’ are not currently in the office. Consequently, physicians can view the records using a laptop; tablets; and other mobile device. The physician has the ability to view the medical chart on different technology devices such as tables; mobile phones; and/or laptops. The enactment of HIPAA has brought on more administrative reforms such as computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems, electronic health records (EHR), and radiology, pharmacy, and laboratory systems. CPOE will assist physicians with patient treatment plans. These systems have been put in place to assure accuracy; develop effective communication amongst medical providers; and provide privacy to patients’ information. EHR reduces medical errors with patient personal information. Physicians can e-scribe a prescription that will reduce patient wait time upon arrival to the pharmacy. Health plans are providing access to claims and care management, as well as member self-service applications; meaning that the medical personnel can be more flexible with time; accurate and efficient with data that supports patient information. Children’s Internet Protection Act, 2000 The Children’s Internet Protection Act was designed to deal with issues concerning children’s ability to view indecent or adverse content over the internet while using a school base computer. CIPA enforces specific requirements on schools or libraries that obtain reductions for internet connections through the E-rate program. E-rate program makes certain communications services and products affordable for eligible schools and libraries. The usage of technology has become a demanding form of communication todays’ society. Many school age children rely on internet access when attending school form home. It is obligatory for these types of schools to accept the CIPA. CIPA monitors numerous activities for children. This observation is focused on assuring the child safety while using the internet. Such observations consist of cyber bullying; lewd or explicit photographs; child pornography; that can be recovered through internet service. Conclusion Technology is becoming the most effective form of communication. HIPAA has changed the transformation of health care allowing employees to retain his/her medical coverage after leaving a job. It also provide patients with privacy and help create a more effective and accurate system for physicians to converse through various medical entities. Educational programs are not limited to the old brick house school forum. Currently, school age children are taking advantage of the new home school options. While offering discounts to schools and library services, CIPA also mandates cyber schools to monitor websites for proper usage and protect the safety of children on specific items that can be viewed when using the internet on a school issued computer. These ethical issues are a few ways technology has advanced in the 21st century. References Hastert, S. (2014). Record Nations History on HIPAA. Retrieved January 8, 2014, from Record Nations: http://www. recordnations. com Rodden, K. (2003). The Childrens Internet Protection Act. Fordham Law Review, 71(5). Retrieved January 9, 2014, from http://ir. lawnet. fordham. edu