Confidentiality is a key value thatshould be safeguarded, more so information that is shared between people or institutions. It is very critical in protecting the right and freedom of individuals/institutions. Confidentiality rules should be applied in both government and private institutions which deal with management and provision of services. These would include hospitals, banks, schools, business firms among others.
The importance of this value has seen its consideration in the enactment and establishment of the federal laws. There are numerous regulations that have been put in place to safeguard the confidentiality of information, individuals, and institutions.The regulations applicable to management sector include: The Privacy Act of 174, covers information about individuals or institutions; Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 2000, protect health information; Confidentiality of Substance Abuse Patient Records, protects the alcoholics and other drug users; Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, protect the genetic test results and family history; Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subject; AHRQ Confidentiality Provisions; CDC Confidentiality Provisions; Patient Safety Act of 2005; Right to Financial Privacy; Children’s Online Privacy Act of 1998; Fair Debt Collection Practices Act of 2006; Cable Communications Policy Act (1984); Video Privacy Protection Act (1988); Drivers Privacy Protection Act (1994); Employee Polygraph Protection Act (1988); Federal Trade Commission Act (1914); Privacy Protection Act (1980); Electronic Communications Privacy Act (1986) among others.
The federal governments observe several ethical considerations in the enactment of these regulations which safeguard confidentiality of information, individuals, or institutions. In the cases of patient-doctor interaction, the client’s information should be respected and protected from any form of uniformed disclosure . In the cases of employee-employer interaction, the employee has a right to withhold certain information that should be forced out by the employer. The laws provide framework on how the confidentiality of the information about individuals or institutions can be protected, putting into consideration the rights and freedoms of the individuals and other institutions. These laws aim at cushioning such individuals/institutions from being abused, mistreated, and stigmatized.
References
DeeAnn, L. P. (2010, July 1). Ethics and Confidentiality. Retrieved June 28, 2013, from mncourts.gov: http://www.mncourts.gov/Documents/5//Ethics_and_Confidentiality_DEE.pp%E2%80%8E
Ishee, J. (2010, February 18). Summart of selected federal laws and regulations. Retrieved June 28, 2013, from healthit.gov: www.healthit.gov//federal_privacy_laws_table_2_26_10_final_0.pdf
