An Ethical Dilemma in Health Care: Stakeholders, Ethical Conflicts, and Resolutions

AN ETHICAL DILEMMA

INTRODUCTION
In health care context, professionals and practitioners are required to undertake several
decisions related to life and death of patients; hence they need to consider ethical dilemma in all
areas. In this respect, health care practitioners are also required to underpin clinical practice so
that challenging situations can be appropriately handled.
Elsie is having problems of AMI, bilateral cataracts and hip replacement for around four
years and she had also taken admission to the RAC facility for advanced nursing care. She is
quite satisfied with the services as earlier she spoke to her family as well regarding RAC facility.
In between, she faced severe chest pain which radiated down her shoulder and as a result the care
entity took decision to transport her to the hospital. While transit, she had a cardiac arrest and
even after getting paramedic attempt, she died. Looking towards the case, her family sued the
R.N, the paramedics and RAC facility. The family also determined that the death was brought by
stress of being moved to hospital.
Further, discussion has also been included regarded ethical aspects that needs to be
adhered from case perspective. Moreover, in the study researcher has also mentioned legal and
ethical defensible resolution to the present conflict.
TASK 1
In the below section, detailed information regarding stakeholders have been stated as per
the case of Elsie. Moreover, researcher has also stated ethical dilemma of each of the stakeholder
present in the study.
Determine the stakeholders as per the case scenario
In the present case, different stakeholders are present such as health care practitioners of
RAC, the paramedics, family members of Elsie (patient) and the registered nurses. In the below
mentioned section, different stakeholders are discussed who are affected from this dilemma:
RAC facility: The care home is entitled to treat the patients according to their issues;
therefore in the present case also, RAC facility was accountable to deliver medical services to
Elsie. At the same time, they also faced the major ethical dilemma from Elsie’s family members
regarding her death (Wilson and Wilks, 2013). While giving any of the medical service, RAC
facility could have to discuss the situation with the family members.

Registered nurses: One Friday night, Elsie has severe chest pain and due to irregular
pulse, registered nurses called the ambulance. Since, her condition was severe; thus nurses had
no idea whether they should move her to hospital. This was the major dilemma faced by the
registered nurses in respect of the case.
Family members are important stakeholders in the domain of health and social care.
Hence, the present study is also including the role of family members (Gardner, Ruest, and
Cummings, 2016).
Family members: The family members of Elsie wanted her recovery; but her condition
was too severe. The family members were also unable to comprehend that it was necessary for
the care home to give her medical treatment. Since, they are family, so they are depressed due to
the death which is the major ethical dilemma (Hough and et.al., 2016).
In the current case, paramedics were also involved as they attempted resuscitation but it
went unsuccessful.
The paramedics: The paramedics were doing their duty; however they could have
considered the history of Elsie. This could have helped them to give her better treatment
according to the condition (Hasan and Rashid, 2016). However, the paramedics are also in fault
as Elsie pleaded to leave her when she had chest pain; but considering the pain paramedics found
that it would not be appropriate to leave her in such condition. They performed whatever was
necessary for Elsie and this represents that they are bothered about their moral responsibilities.
As per the question, it is clear that stakeholders should become aware about the condition
of all the patients so that to them in best possible manner. Thus, the section has clearly stated that
ethical facets needs to be prominently considered at the time of dealing with different patients.
TASK 2
Differentiate the ethical and legal conflicts from following perspectives
THE DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS CASE
Apparently, interest of all the stakeholders can be prevented in the organization when the
entity is able to involve all the people in prominent manner. In the present case, all the
stakeholders possess different rights and responsibilities as they are carrying out their duties in