Ethical Issues in Healthcare: A Case Study Analysis

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Mental Health Nursing
Name of student:
Name of university:
Author note:

1MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Healthcare ethics is the set of moral values, beliefs and principles, which guide healthcare
professionals in making the suitable choices in medical care delivery. At the centre of healthcare
ethics lie the sense of right and wrong and the beliefs about the fundamental rights of the
healthcare consumers. Further, healthcare professionals are to follow a set of professional
legislation and policies, and professional code of practice relevant to their practice domain. The
present essay identifies the ethical issues that were raised by the events in the case study. The
ethical issues are analyzed in regards to the concept of human rights and professional codes of
ethics and conduct. Further, professional policies and legislation related to practice, and the
principles of healthcare ethics are discussed in the paper. Recommendations are made for
professional practice. The paper ends with a conclusion provided that summarizes the key points
discussed.
The case study is related to Amos who was a high school student living away from home
at a residential property near his school in contrast to other students living in boarding facilities
given by the school. One day, the nearby hospital reported that a considerable number of
students presented to the unit with severe symptoms. Some of them had to be admitted to the unit
for treatment, and the staff identified that there was an outbreak of cholera disease. Amos was
also infected and presented at the hospital. The triage nurse and the doctor had the realization
that there was a shortage of medical supplied for treating every patient presenting himself at the
unit. Consequently, they limited treatment only to those who were boarders at the school. Amos
argued that though he was residing outside of the school premises he was still a student of the
same. His efforts went in vain and he was not provided with treatment. Amos returned home for
receiving proper treatment. Since he was severely dehydrated due to his symptoms, he
succumbed to his condition and died.

2MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
The significant ethical issue that is evident from the case study is that care service was
provided to the patients presenting at the healthcare unit was biased. The patients were not given
healthcare services on the basis of the clinical needs of each patient. Instead, the students who
were the residents of the boarding facility were provided care. This brings in the notion of
discrimination and inequity, which are no acceptable in healthcare domain. Further, the second
ethical issue that can be highlighted in this regard is that Amos was sent away without any form
of treatment, and was not provided with any primary form of care. Primary care, even with
limited resources, could have prevented the severity of his conditions and subsequent death. An
analysis of the ethical issues is to be presented in the following section.
Analysis of the ethical issues arising in the case study, the concept of human right to
healthcare is to be discussed. It is the fundamental right of humans to receive the highest possible
standards of care under different conditions. Everyone has the right to the care they need
irrespective of their background (Scott, 2017). As per the Australian Charter of Healthcare
Rights, everyone individual has the right to receive healthcare for addressing the care needs.
Further, individuals have the right to be shown dignity, respect and consideration. In addition,
individuals have the right to engage in communication with professionals who have professional
skills and competencies. Lastly, an individual has the right to comment on the care he needs, and
to comment on or complain regarding the manner in which the concerns are addressed
(safetyandquality.gov.au, 2012). In the preset case, Amos was denied care and turned away
without delivering any required interventions. The right to receive care was breached as he was
subjected to discrimination and biasness. Further, he was not given respect and shown dignity as
Amos had to argue with the care professionals regarding his need of care. As Amos was not