Jehovah’s Witness: Blood transfusions and Ethical Principles Randy Alex University of West Florida Abstract This paper discusses the ethical dilemma of caring for a patient, who is Jehovah’s Witness, and is refusing blood transfusions to treat a serious illness that could be life threating. Taking into account the six ethical principles, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity, I will address the patient’s and the health care teams’ viewpoint on the situation. Jehovah’s Witness: Blood transfusions and Ethical Principles “Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that an individual’s life is contained within blood and that accepting transfusion of blood and blood products is sinful” (Effa-Heap, 2009). Respecting a patient’s decisions, even if it is different from your own, and continuing care of that patient is the responsibility of the healthcare team. “From an ethical viewpoint, if a rational adult who has been fully apprised of the consequences of not receiving this treatment persists in a refusal, the decision should be respected” (Effa-Heap, 2009).
Jerry was accused of a medical malpractice because of prescribing a refill without the authorization of a physician. There were many legal and ethical issues that affected the decision Jerry made in ordering the prescription refill, and the knowledge of right and wrong deterred Jerry from deciding to refill the prescription. There are several methods and types of values at hand that Jerry could have used to help him make an ethical decision. Determining the appropriate course to take when faced with a difficult ethical dilemma can be a challenge, but it is always important to engage in a carefully considered ethical decision-making. Everyday health care workers around the world are faced with tough decisions.
Ethical Standards and Nursing for the Elderly Kate Smith Walden University NURS 6050, Section 18B Policy and Advocacy for Improving Pop. Health November 7, 2012 Ethical Standards and Nursing for the Elderly Health care ethics are ways of practice that are followed in making good judgment in regards to patient care, involving moral principles and professional guidelines. Health care ethics helps in making good moral decision bases on beliefs and value of life, health, suffering, and death (Cleveland Clinic, 2012). Allocating resources for the elderly in relation to ethics is a complex issue that put the health care provider in a thin line, not knowing how to resolve the situation. I will look on allocating resources for the elderly and end of life, and how it goes against ethical standards.
Ethical Issues in Nursing This book examines major ethical issues in nursing practice. It eschews the abstract approaches of bioethics and medical ethics, and takes as its point of departure the difficulties nurses experience practising within the confines of a biomedical model and a hierarchical health care system. It breaks out of the rigid categories of mainstream health care ethics (autonomy, beneficence, quality of life, utilitarianism…) and provides case studies, experiences and challenging lines of thought for the new professional nurse. The contributors examine the role of the nurse in relation to themes such as informed consent, privacy and dignity, and confidentiality. Nursing accountability is also considered in relation to the contemporary Western health care system as a whole.
Ethical Self Assessment Health care management fields, networks and systems have consistently changed since all began. An important part today’s business world is Ethics; this also applies to the health care field as patient’s information is a sensitive area. The American College of Health care Executives (ACHE) demonstrates the the organization’s commitment to ethics and support the ethical decisions made by its members (Ache's commitment to, 2014). This assignment requires a self-assessment of an individual’s ethical decisions within the health care industry, and the effects of the decisions made by the author during the evaluation process. It can be stressful for one to look at the results of a self-assessment test and see areas that need improvement.
Chapter 1 Review Deanna Scowden 1. The legal and ethical issues facing everyone in the health care field as the world changes. The impact of rising costs on laws & ethics of health care delivery. The rights, responsibilities, and concerns of healthcare consumers. 2.
The Influence of Individual Ethics on Decision-Making in the Health Care Industry Abstract This manuscript will discuss the influence of individual ethics on decision-making within the health care industry. This missive will also address the American College of Healthcare Executives Ethics Self-Assessment along with strategies that may improve ethical decision-making. The Influence of Individual Ethics on Decision-Making in the Health Care Industry Although much psychological research has focused on cognitive moral development as a way of investigating ethical behavior, individual differences or personality traits may also influence choice of ethical action taken or may relate to moral development itself (Lifton, 1985 and McCarrey, 1978). An individual is moral if that person conforms to the established practices and customs of a group or organization. An individual is ethical if that person voluntarily obliges to function in the in the light of an ideal good.
Ethical Healthcare Issues Paper These current healthcare issues that are affecting our society are blood transfusion, the ability to receive medical treatment. There are many ethical health care issues that are currently affecting our society. This issue affects our society because it enables patients to receive blood transfusions in many situations that can save lives. Therefore, many reasons behind blood transfusions performed for injury, major surgeries and related blood disorders. In this paper, we will discuss the importance of blood transfusion and reasons why it is a current ethical health care problem.
Buddhism, Native American spirituality and Scientology are compared to Christianity in this paper. Although there are obvious differences among the religions, there are similarities such as they all want the best outcome for the person suffering from an illness. All healthcare workers and providers want what is best for the patient by respecting their religious views and cultural background. Health Care Provider and Faith Diversity There are different religions and spiritual beliefs within the health care system because of the different backgrounds and belief systems of the patients. This can be a difficult concept for health care providers taking care of these patients.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe it is acceptable to receive transfusions of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, or plasma. Jehovah’s Witnesses literally interpret a passage from the bible Genesis 9:3-4 which states, “Only flesh from its soul - - its blood - - you must not eat” (CTV News, 2002). Although Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe in blood transfusions some individuals may make a personal choice to use fractions of red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, or platelets if the need arises (AJWRB, 2006). A 15-year-old, who for the purpose of the paper will be called Sarah, continues to face a tough ethical battle. The young woman is a Jehovah’s Witness who is living with Crohn’s disease.