Mary, a 20-year veteran of the HIM department, began her career as a HIM Specialist. She has long been a strong supporter of the facility where she works, sharing her enthusiasm with friends and family by telling remarkable stories about her experiences, promotions within the department, and even about some notable patients. Recently promoted to supervisor over the EMR coordinators, she is clearly proud of this latest accomplishment in her career at the facility. 

During a lunch break, she has a chance encounter with a patient at the facility, who happens to also be a well-known entertainer and longtime celebrity benefactor. Mary is so excited about meeting this media icon that she takes his photograph with her cell phone. She then shares the photos with her coworkers, and the next day posts them on her social media outlets. When a fellow co-worker learns of this, she contacts the facility privacy officer. 

 

1. What is the ethical violation, dilemma, or concern described in this case study?

2. Explain at least two AHIMA Ethical Code principles that have been violated.

3. What is the potential harm to the facility at which Mary works because of the act?

4. Should Mary have known her actions would result in an ethical violation, dilemma, or concern?

5. What actions could the facility for which Mary works take as a resolution to Mary's actions?