Question

Case Study:

Sherman H. is taken into an exam roon in the office of Dr. K. by the medical assistiant, Mary. Mary gets int a discussion with Sherman about their mutually favorite sports teams. As Mary leaves the exam room, she accidentally places Sherman's medical files on the counter. While Sherman waits for Dr. K., he reads trhoug them and and is shocked to discover that his recent HIV test came back positive. Sherman panics and runs out of the office without seeing Dr. K. Dr. K. tries to reach Sherman but there is no answer on his phone. Dr. K. then sends a letter marked "Confidential" to Brian's home, stating that he must be treated and needs to inform his partners about his HIV status. Sherman does not respond to this letter.

Please answer the following case questions (20 points):

1. What else can Dr. K. do to meet his obligations to report a communicable disease?

2. What responsibility does the medical assistant, Mary, have relating to this problem?

3. How might Sherman be encouraged to report his condition to his sexual partners?

4. Did any ethical or legal violations occur? Please identify and describe.

Answer 1

1. Dr.K is obliged to report the communicable disease to the State Health Department .The state health department sends this information to the CDC after removing all personal and confidential details of the patient. A partner notification law states that the spouse has to be informed about this.If hidden it is a crime and punishable

2.It is a HIPAA violation of leaving the patient file on the counter which are highly confidential data.It is an act of negligence.Involuntary way of breaching patient privacy at risk for public or others not involved in the care.Here the medical assistant will be charged or fined for the act.

3.Sherman can be encouraged in the following way

• It is his right to protect his sexual partner or wife (marriage trust) by not transmitting the disease and gwtbot screened
• Treatment can help to live a normal and prolonged life
• provide him psychological support and confidence to reveal this to his partner

4.It is a legal violation

First the medical assistant has left the document in a place where it should not be kept.It is an act of violence and negligence

Sherman is doing a crime by trying to conceal this truth from his wife and getting treated for th infection. Sherman not responding to the letter raises the State Health Department tos end end Health care professionals to visit the home and provided needed service.