In the digital healthcare era, nurses must follow the guidelines and strategies for secure computer charting to ensure patient safety and accurate documentation.
Nurses must never share passwords or computer signatures with anyone, including the float nurse or unit doctor.
Once signed in, it is crucial to supervise the computer continuously to safeguard the patient's confidential data from potential breaches.
In error-filled entries, label the entry as "mistaken entry- wrong chart," followed by the correct information, including the date and signature.
Health records are subject to modification, addition, or deletion only by authorized nurses per the hospital's policies.
To address any accidental deletion of a section in the permanent record, nurses should provide a written explanation, including the reason, date, time, and initials. Additionally, it is crucial to justify the incident to the manager.
As a precautionary measure, nurses should ensure that all stored records have a backup.
Additionally, a log should be maintained to track duplicate computerized files generated from the system.
Nurses should encrypt emails whenever they share protected health information.
The guidelines and strategies provided by the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) offer essential principles for ensuring safe and secure computer charting systems in healthcare settings. Let's break down each recommendation:
Maintain Confidentiality and Security:
Error Correction Procedures:
Record Modification and Authority:
Data Backup and Recovery:
Patient Information Protection:
Secure Communication:
By following these guidelines and strategies, healthcare professionals ensure the safe and secure utilization of computer charting systems, protect patient confidentiality, maintain data integrity, and mitigate the risks associated with electronic health record management.