Ethics in Healthcare: Privacy and Care in Radiology
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Involving the Patient
- The Patient Care Partnership
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
- The ARRT® Standard of Ethics
- Code of Ethics in Radiology
- Rules of Ethics in Healthcare
- Enforcement and Ethical Oversight
- The Role of Hospital Administration in Patient Outcomes
- Conclusion
- References
Abstract
The primary goal of any imaging examination is to ensure that patients and their families feel well-informed and comfortable, fostering better health outcomes and a more positive patient experience. Imaging technologists play a crucial role in ethics in healthcare, delivering high-quality patient care, safeguarding privacy, and upholding ethical standards. Each patient interaction presents an opportunity to build trust through empathetic communication and shared decision-making. By adhering to guidelines such as The Patient Care Partnership and HIPAA, technologists protect patient rights and ensure the confidentiality of health information. The ARRT® Standard of Ethics further reinforces professionalism, prioritization of radiation safety, and continuous skill development, ensuring that technologists provide competent and ethical care.
Introduction
Ethical practice is the cornerstone of ethics in healthcare, ensuring patient dignity, trust, and safety. Regardless of modality, imaging technologists must provide high-quality care, safeguard patient privacy, and uphold the highest ethical standards. Every patient interaction is an opportunity to foster trust through clear communication and shared decision-making. Laws such as the Patient Care Partnership and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protect patient rights and health information. Guided by the ARRT® Standard of Ethics in radiology, technologists adhere to principles of professionalism, radiation safety, confidentiality, and lifelong competence, shaping a responsible and ethical practice in ethics in radiologic technology.
Visit this link to stay up-to-date with ARRT®’s Ethical Requirements for radiologic technologists.
Involving the Patient
To ensure patient-centered care, technologists should build a positive connection with patients through respectful and empathetic communication. This involves using open-ended questions, active listening, and reflective statements to better understand the patient’s perspective. For example, asking, “Where does it hurt?” instead of “Is your arm hurting?” encourages a more detailed response. Addressing each patient’s individual needs not only enhances satisfaction but also improves compliance with treatment plans, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.
Maintaining eye contact while asking questions and listening attentively helps foster trust and engagement. During imaging procedures, technologists should strive to educate patients about relevant health recommendations, empowering them to take an active role in their care. A simple question, such as asking a mammography patient if they are familiar with breast screening guidelines, can promote awareness and proactive health management. Recognizing the importance of patient rights and privacy, various organizations, professional associations, and federal regulations continue to reinforce these essential aspects of ethics in radiography.
The Patient Care Partnership
The Patient Care Partnership, created by the American Hospital Association (AHA), is a brochure designed to inform patients about their rights and responsibilities during a hospital stay. It outlines key expectations, including the quality of care, a safe and respectful care environment, privacy protections, discharge information, and assistance with insurance or billing claims.
Technology plays an essential role in enhancing patient interactions by improving efficiency and automating routine tasks. For example, automated recall and appointment notifications help streamline communication, ensuring patients stay informed and engaged in their healthcare.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
HIPAA is a U.S. law designed to establish privacy standards for protecting patients’ medical records and other health information. It ensures that individuals’ health data is securely managed while allowing the necessary flow of information to support high-quality healthcare and public health initiati ves.
HIPAA has several key components:
- The Privacy Rule sets national standards for safeguarding personal health information.
- The Security Rule establishes administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI).
- The Breach Notification Rule mandates that covered entities and business associates notify affected individuals following a breach of unsecured health data.
- The Enforcement Rule outlines compliance measures and penalties for violations.
HIPAA applies to covered entities, including healthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as their business associates who handle protected health information. By maintaining strict privacy and security standards, HIPAA helps ensure patient trust and confidentiality in healthcare.
The ARRT® Standard of Ethics
In addition to patient care and privacy, ethics is a fundamental consideration for all licensed technologists. Ethics in radiology, a branch of philosophy, explores questions of morality—what is right and wrong, good and bad, fair and unfair. In radiologic technology, ethical principles serve as a guide for behavior, helping technologists determine the best course of action in various situations. The ARRT® Standard of Ethics establishes these ethical guidelines for radiologic technologists.
The ARRT® Standard of Ethics applies to all certified and registered technologists, as well as students pursuing certification. These standards promote professional values that emphasize high-quality patient care. The Standard of Ethics consists of two components: the Code of Ethics in radiology and the Rules of Ethics.
Code of Ethics in Radiology
The Code of Ethics in radiology serves as a foundational guide for professional conduct, ensuring technologists uphold the highest ethical standards while prioritizing patient safety and well-being. It emphasizes key principles such as:
| Professionalism and Respect | Treating patients and colleagues with dignity and without discrimination. |
| Competence and Judgment | Using appropriate equipment and techniques while making informed decisions in the patient’s best interest. |
| Radiation Safety | Minimizing exposure for patients, themselves, and the healthcare team. |
| Confidentiality and Ethical Conduct | Respecting patient privacy and disclosing information only as required by law. |
| Continuous Improvement | Engaging in lifelong learning and professional development. |
| Substance Abuse Prevention | Refraining from using substances that could impair judgment or patient safety. |
Rules of Ethics in Healthcare
The Rules of Ethics in healthcare are mandatory professional conduct standards. They address:
- Fraud in certification, credentials, and billing.
- Exam and education integrity.
- Competency requirements and proper supervision.
- Ethical violations, such as sexual misconduct and patient care errors.
- Substance abuse, mental incompetence, and regulatory compliance.
- Criminal convictions and mandatory reporting of violations.
Enforcement and Ethical Oversight
The ARRT® Ethics Committee is responsible for investigating violations and recommending appropriate sanctions. Administrative procedures ensure ethical accountability through:
- Investigation and enforcement of violations.
- Hearings and appeals processes.
- Sanctions range from warnings to revocation of certification.
- Communication of disciplinary actions to relevant authorities.
- Procedures for requesting the removal of sanctions.
Technologists are expected to abide by these ethical standards, ensuring the integrity and trustworthiness of the profession while prioritizing patient well-being.
To learn more on the ethics review process by the ARRT®, please visit this link.
The Role of Hospital Administration in Patient Outcomes
Hospital administration is vital in improving patient outcomes through patient-centered care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous quality improvement. Key factors include:
However, regardless of administrative policies, the commitment, empathy, and technical expertise of imaging technologists remain essential to delivering high-quality patient care.
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Conclusion
The primary goal of any imaging examination is to ensure that patients and their families feel well-informed and comfortable, fostering better health outcomes and a more positive patient experience. Imaging technologists play a crucial role in healthcare by delivering high-quality patient care, safeguarding privacy, and upholding ethical standards. Each patient interaction presents an opportunity to build trust through empathetic communication and shared decision-making..
By adhering to guidelines such as The Patient Care Partnership and HIPAA, technologists protect patient rights and ensure the confidentiality of health information. The ARRT® Standard of Ethics further reinforces professionalism, prioritization of radiation safety, and continuous skill development, ensuring that technologists provide competent and ethical care.
References
- American Hospital Association. The Patient Care Partnership. American Hospital Association. Accessed March 22, 2025.https://www.aha.org/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed March 22, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Ethics Requirements. American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Accessed March 22, 2025. https://www.arrt.org/
- Bhati D, Deogade MS, Kanyal D. Improving Patient Outcomes Through Effective Hospital Administration: A Comprehensive Review. Cureus. 2023;15(10):e47731. Published 2023 Oct 26. doi:10.7759/cureus.47731
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