The Ethical And Legal Aspects Of Healthcare

1) I do think it was appropriate for the staff to report this incident. If needed in the future it is documented in her medical record if she wants to pursue the person who did this. We as people have the duty to keep the community safe from this creep. In her medical record there will be the time she was seen and why, what was done, and what the results were, and our recommendations. Explanation would be given that we will confront the police because we would be breaking the law if we didn't. It is really up to her whether she will move on with the prosecution against this guy which is her right.

2) I do think it was appropriate for the staff to report this incident as a possible child abuse case. There are several documentations of injuries to this child in such a short time period. Makes me suspicious right off the bat. It will not hurt for someone to check it out for the child's sake. The child might not show fear but that could always be a cover up in the works. In this case it would be better to be safe than sorry.

3) I do not think it was appropriate for the staff member to let these guys have the information. For one they did not verify that they were federal agents. For two there is no signed release form. There are strict policies on releasing medical information for anyone. There is a certain process that has to be followed. The way it was done here was not the correct process.

...