Code+of+Ethics

New technology has had huge effects on all facets of the healthcare industry, and speech-language pathology and audiology are no different. The advances in technology have made an enormous impact on the way that clinicians assess and diagnose communication disorders. Computers and the internet have spurred the evolvement of new technology. Clinicians now have a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips when they need to conduct research or network with other speech pathologists or audiologists. Technology has definitely helped clinicians become more effective, but with this new technology comes many risks associated with patient confidentiality and privacy. The American Speech Language Hearing Association has addressed new technology and the associated risks involved in the ASHA Code of Ethics. Emerging technology has made protecting clients’ identities and personal information hard to do because almost all businesses keep patient records in a computer system. When a practice keeps all of its records on a computer, there is a risk of hackers breaking into their system and stealing patient information. When sharing client information, clinicians have to be very mindful of who they are sharing the information with and whether or not that person is authorized to have access to those records. ASHA has enacted rules in the Code of Ethics that describe how clinicians should treat patient information. The risk of losing personal information is first addressed in Rule K of Principle of Ethics I in the ASHA Code of Ethics. This rule states, “ Individuals shall adequately maintain and appropriately secure records of professional services rendered, research and scholarly activities conducted, and products dispensed and shall allow access to these records only when authorized or when required by law.  “ Rule L also deals with patient confidentiality issues, it states, “ Individuals shall not reveal, without authorization, any professional or personal information about identified persons served professionally or identified participants involved in research and scholarly activities unless required by law to do so, or unless doing so is necessary to protect the welfare of the person or of the community or otherwise required by law.” By including these statements in the Code of Ethics, ASHA is training clinicians to learn to protect patient confidentiality, privacy, and security. Keeping patient information confidential is crucial and clinicians who do not follow the ASHA Code of Ethics are subject to being punished by ASHA and are possibly at risk for losing their certification.
 * Within the context of the ASHA Code of Ethics, how has the emergence of technology impacted the issues of confidentiality, privacy, and security of individuals' records and protected health information?**