Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Basic Research in Plasma Medicine - A Throughput Approach from Liquids to Cells
Published on: November 17, 2017
Confidentiality challenges surrounding plasma therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: a case discussion in Iran
Saeedeh Saeedi Tehrani1, Akram Hashemi1, Mansureh Madani2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Ethics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Confidentiality in healthcare is crucial. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ethical plasma donation requires patient consent, balancing public health needs with individual privacy rights.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Management
Background:
- Maintaining patient confidentiality is a cornerstone of medical ethics and professional conduct.
- The Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) requested plasma donations from recovered COVID-19 patients.
- Hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) were approached for patient information.
Observation:
- A case report detailing the ethical and legal considerations of accessing patient information for COVID-19 convalescent plasma donation.
- Discussions involved ethical access to patient data during a pandemic, balancing confidentiality with public health initiatives.
- Practical solutions were developed considering the limitations of confidentiality and ethical access protocols.
Findings:
- Plasma therapy is not a definitive cure for COVID-19.
- Announcing patient names for plasma donation in early stages is not recommended due to ethical and legal concerns.
- Patient consent is essential for plasma donation, with provisions for information and education.
Implications:
- Highlights the complex ethical landscape of public health initiatives during pandemics.
- Emphasizes the need for clear guidelines on patient data access and consent for therapeutic interventions.
- Informs future strategies for managing infectious disease outbreaks while upholding patient rights and ethical standards.
Abstract:
Maintaining confidentiality, both in national and international codes of ethics, is considered an important principle in healthcare and the medical profession for both patients and physicians. This case-report article focused on a real case. Based on the request of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) for plasma donation from recovered COVID-19 patients, we asked the names and personal information of those patients from hospitals affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) and arranged for the subjects to be referred to the Medical Ethics Department of IUMS for consultation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various ethical and legal aspects of this case were discussed in a special meeting, and practical solutions were then provided considering the limits of confidentiality and conditions for ethical access to patients' information during a pandemic. Since plasma therapy is not a definitive cure for COVID-19 and considering the ethical and legal points presented in this article, it is not recommended to announce the names of patients in the early stages. Given the potential impacts of the procedure and the possibility of patients being cured, however, their consent should be obtained in different situations and, if necessary, providing information to patients or educating them should be considered.
More Related Videos
04:11Author Spotlight: Advancing In Vitro Blood Cell Production with Single-Cell Multiomics and Functional Genomics
Published on: March 15, 2024
07:40Preparation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Pellets and Plasma from a Single Blood Draw at Clinical Trial Sites for Biomarker Analysis
Published on: March 20, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:27Nursing Ethical Principles II
Consider the following scenario, which illustrates how these principles are applied in the care of Mr. John, a fifty-year-old teacher diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer.
Initially, Mr. John's...
01:23Ethical Standards II
Nurses are entrusted with upholding various ethical principles and standards. Nurses forge solid therapeutic relationships using trust, empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional competence.
Confidentiality is crucial, embodying respect for individual privacy...
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...