Select a state or federal law or regulation related to patient safety that has been implemented within the last five years requiring hospitals or any other health care organizations to change the way they manage the delivery of care. Discuss the changes that have occurred because of this law or regulation.
Additionally, discuss the technology associated with either your selected law/regulation or a similar one. Are there ethical dilemmas that have resulted from technology changes when delivering care to patients or patient safety? Explain the dilemmas and how they might be resolved.
Solution
Patient safety is a priority in healthcare, prompting legislative action to improve care and reduce errors. The Hospital Star Ratings Update (2021) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was introduced to enhance transparency, helping patients make informed choices while encouraging hospitals to improve safety metrics.
Impact on Healthcare Management
This regulation required hospitals to refine data collection and reporting on medical errors, patient outcomes, and readmission rates. Many institutions adopted real-time monitoring systems and strengthened quality improvement initiatives to reduce hospital-acquired infections and adverse drug events. Staff training was also enhanced to align with best practices.
Technology and Ethical Issues
Technology, including electronic health records (EHRs) and AI-driven monitoring tools, has improved patient tracking and risk assessment. However, ethical concerns include data privacy risks, algorithmic bias in predictive tools, and over-reliance on automation, which may weaken clinical judgment.
Resolution Strategies
Hospitals can mitigate these issues by enforcing strong cybersecurity measures, conducting AI bias audits, and ensuring technology supports rather than replaces clinical expertise.
References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021). Hospital Star Ratings Update: Enhancing transparency in healthcare quality. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov
