Jessica Mass, a phlebotomist, drew a blood sample from Glenn Ross, a 30-year-old

Question

Jessica Mass, a phlebotomist, drew a blood sample from Glenn Ross, a 30-year-old patient of Dr. Williams, to test for AIDS. As Glenn was leaving the office, his friend Harry came in and they greeted each other. Jessica took Harry into an exam room, and in the course of making conversation, he told her that he was a good friend of Glenn’s. He asked Jessica why Glenn was seeing the doctor. Jessica responded that it was just a routine test for AIDS.

When Harry arrived back home, he called Glenn and told him what the phlebotomist had said. Glenn called Dr. Williams and complained about Jessica’s action and said that he planned to sue Dr. Williams. Dr. Williams dismissed Jessica. She told Jessica that if Glenn did bring a lawsuit against her, then she would sue Jessica.

1. What should Jessica have done or said when Harry asked about Glenn’s reason for being in the office?

2. Did Dr. Williams have a legal right to sue Jessica if she was sued?

3. What important patient right did Jessica violate?

Explanation / Answer

1. The blood test to examine for presence of AIDS should be kept confidential and should not be revealed to any other individual except the concern doctor and the patient. Being aware of this ethical guidelines, Jessica should have told something else to Harry. Therefore, Jessica made a mistake of violating the ethical guidelines.

2. Both the doctor and dignostic technician should follow the ethical guidelines. in case of AIDS, strictly they should stick on to rules by not revelaing about testing or result with any other individual than th e doctor and patient. Being aware of this, Jessica revelaed this matter to HArry in absence of Dr. Williams and doctor can sue Jessica as the ethical guidelines and rules are maintained in their clinical laboratory since its establishment. Otherwise, Dr. Williams cannot sue Jessica as she might not be aware of the rules.

3. Keeping confedential about testing and result is the important patient right and Jessica (phlebotomist) violated this right of patient.

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