If a patient is competent they should absolutely have the right to refuse taking medication no matter what the circumstances. I am a bit more reserved when it comes to my feelings about a patient who is deemed incompetent. If a person is not competent, I feel they do not have the right to refuse medication. Whenever possible, a family member or legal guardian should be responsible for making this decision for these patients. In circumstances where this is not possible, I feel the answer to this question is best left in the hands of medical professionals.
The ANA represents nurses and stands for their rights. The Code of Ethics has been developed and changed over time to keep up with progress in the field as well as with interpretation of the codes. It is something that explains a nurse’s obligation and duties. This Code of Ethics is a guide of conduct. This guide should be strictly observed by nurses and nursing students so they can make proper judgments and give ethical treatment to all persons under his/her care.
The definition of Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is “professional understanding and action that is based on the thoughtful use of knowledge and information from available, reliable, and dependent sources” (Brown, 2002). The definition also includes the balance of clinical experience, proven evidence from scientific studies with patient input. This input from patients will incorporate their culture, values and other preferences.. Evidence Based Practice is a fluent process that requires nurses to be current and correct on information as it pertains to their daily practice. The intent of EBP is to improve the quality of the care that is delivered to the client.
By applying system theory to their problem, researchers were able to see that patients and families were in need of stability and balance in their life. The relationship between systems theory and healthcare delivery reinforces behaviors that can minimize errors and allow for better quality healthcare. Systems Theory is beneficial to the delivery of Healthcare in the U.S. as healthcare professionals are provided additional information on the functionality of various systems. Healthcare professionals can more effectively care for patients, families and communities. As well, the medical industry can more effectively bring about desired changes in the workplace by analysis best practices within their workplace system.
The ANA code of ethics has provisions in place to assist in a decision for this case. Provision 1 protects human dignity, the right to self-determination. Provision 2 protects the patient's interests and facilitates collaboration among health care providers. Provision 3 and 4 provides standards, accountability, responsibility for nursing judgment and action. In the case of malpractice witnessed by a nurse against a fellow nurse and the facility that they worked, the code of ethics also has provisions to protect nurses as well.
This case study highlights the aforementioned ethical considerations and raises questions around confidentiality, autonomy and personal ethical standpoints. Firstly it’s imperative to focus on the client, the therapeutic relationship and eliminate the third party information. In this particular case study the clear distinction is that the information regarding HIV was not given to the counsellor in a therapeutic environment. Therefore mandatory reporting becomes obsolete, and one must not allow personal ethical standpoints to interfere. There are ethical consequences relating to respect for autonomy that can result here, where the health care provider believes that they have the patient’s, or those whom the patient shares needles with, best
Nurses are face with ethical dilemmas on a daily basic therefore, must examine their own personal and professional values and morals in order to maintain a caring and compassionate relationship with their patients. When complex ethical issues involving health care arise, the Ethics Committee may be needed for additional resources to aid the patient and family. The Ethics Committee is made up of multidisciplinary groups drawn from the institution and the local community. It is important for nurses to know how to deal with ethical decisions so that patient rights and values are honored without compromising their own moral values. Nurses should respect
(Henney FDA-1) So it seems that these organizations that are made to protect us are doing their part in helping the cause of illegal drug prescriptions, yet they are not ceasing because of the lack of finding the practitioner that gives the prescription. The FDA says that in their efforts to stop these abuses, one must see a licensed doctor in order to be examined and offered the medicine. This being said, it still doesn’t target the doctor on its own. They might be able to make the process tighter, but if a doctor is crooked, there is really no way of stopping them from writing the prescription. That is why I fight that without making the process of obtaining a license to distribute prescriptions more detailed and strict, there will be no stoppage of the flow
Jean Watson is recognized for her theories on human caring and the way nurses give care. Her theories are used to educate nurses on the integration of care and compassion within the discipline and technology of today’s healthcare organizations to better serve patients. Watson believed that human caring is “not just an emotion, concern, attitude, or benevolent desire. Caring is the moral ideal of nursing whereby the end is protection, enhancement, and preservation of human dignity” (George, 2011, p. 29). With this idea in mind, assessment tools are used by the nurse and physician to protect, enhance, and preserve human dignity (George, 2011).
The Nursing Code of Ethics covers respect and dignity in relationships with patients and colleagues. The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient. The nurse advocates for privacy and confidentiality of the patient and is responsible for reporting unsafe practice. He or she is expected to be responsible and held accountable for his actions, including delegation of tasks. Nurses must be of a high integrity, have self-respect, be willing to grow professionally and educationally and have a strong moral fiber.