Ethical Issues Research Paper 2022

Running head: ETHICAL ISSUES 1
Ethical Issues
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

ETHICAL ISSUES 2
Ethical Issues
Abstract
In this paper, the significant ethical issues that need to be taken into consideration
when establishing health policies like the one issued by the president of medical staff will be
discussed. The importance of taking into consideration these ethical issues will also be
discussed in detail. The groups that health policy being established should target will be
highlighted and the reason why they are the population at risk will be discussed. The paper
will then finalize by outlining clear recommendations to the hospital Board and C-Suite
should.
What issues should be considered in establishing this policy?
One of the issues that should be considered in establishing the policy mentioned is the
informed consent of the staff. Informed consent is defined as the permission that is granted
especially by the patient to doctor for treatment in full knowledge of the possible
consequences (REFERENCE). The president of the medical staff has issued a directive
compelling all medical staff as well as volunteers to receive the influenza vaccine. Since
immunization is part of treatment, it’s important to obtain the permission of the staff who are
to be immunized. This is so because by obtaining the consent, the workers are given an
opportunity to participate in making decisions about their health. Also, the principles of
ethics should be considered when developing this policy. One of the main principles of ethics
that need to be considered in this situation is the patient’s right to autonomy. The patient’s
right to autonomy dictates that the patients have innate rights to make decisions based on
their values and beliefs (Runciman, Merry & Walton, 2017). This means that patients
should not be coerced to have treatment. By directing that immunization is compulsory for all
the staff and threatening to fire those staff who object this directive, the president of medical

ETHICAL ISSUES 3
staff is appearing to coerce employees to get immunized which is against the principle of
ethics. Therefore, the president of the medical staff needs to consider this principle when
giving such directives. Also, the rights of employees should be considered when coming up
with this type of policy. One of the main rights of employees dictates that employees should
be free from discrimination and harassment. By giving ultimatums to the employees, the
president of the medical staff is harassing the employees which is against the employees’
rights. Therefore, it’s important to consider all the rights of employees before coming up with
such policies.
To what groups is responsibility owed?
The responsibility is first to protect the vulnerable group or population at risk which
includes the elderly population and the pregnant women. The mortality rates of annual flu
epidemics are very high among the elderly population of above 65 years, children less than 5
years and pregnant women (Stahl & Coeckelbergh, 2016). These groups have weaker
immunity which makes them more susceptible to the virus than other groups. In the elderly
population above 65 years, 90% of seasoned flu deaths and 70% of seasoned flu
hospitalization due occur during flu season (Runciman, Merry & Walton, 2017). This
shows how vulnerable this group is to the flu. In pregnant women, changes in the immune
system weaken their immunity making them more prone to severe illnesses from flu (Stahl
& Coeckelbergh, 2016). Children less than five years of age generally have weaker
immunity because their immunity still developing making them vulnerable to the flu. Also,
the residents of nursing homes are at high risk of developing the virus. This is so because the
flu is transmitted by contact with infected people and infected objects. Residents of nursing
homes more often come in contact with bodies of people who have died from the virus which
makes them vulnerable to the virus. Since these groups are the most at risk, efforts should
first be directed to immunize these groups. Generally, a flu vaccine is the most effective way