Health Care Ethics - Assignment PDF
Added on 2021-05-31
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Running head: HEALTH CARE ETHICSHealth Care EthicsStudent’s NameInstitutional Affiliation
HEALTH CARE ETHICS2Health Care EthicsIntroductionEthics generally refer to the moral obligations that the society expects an individual orgroup to exhibit. These moral obligations are generally viewed as the right way of doing things. For this reason, when a person acts or behaves in a manner contrary to the confines of ethics, they earn dissatisfaction and often attract punitive measures (Post and Blustein, 2015).Since man is the only social animal endowed with reason, these codes of conducts are set to ensure harmonious coexistence between human beings. In the 21st century, ethics are as important as they were ages ago. The dynamics of ethics have also changed due to the extensive changes in lifestyle and technology seen through the years. Ethics have become a core requirement by employers and even legislators (Freeman, 2017). Ethics call for respect for human dignity, abstinence from forms of abuse, professional conduct (for professional in a certain field), among others. Child abuse is a breach of code of conduct and may attract punitive legal measures. The same applies to any form of malpractice among the healthcare workers. This essay is going to discuss health care ethics. Using case study three, an identification of the ethical issues raised will be identified. This will be followed by an analysis of the ethical issues. Finally, recommendations for professional practice will be outlined.Ethical Issues Raised by Events in Case Study 3Several ethical issues are raised in this case study. One is child abuse. Child abuse is ahigh form of unethical behaviour (Lasswell, 2017). The suspected abuse of the child (Milly) involves physical abuse. The paramedics suspect that there is possible fracture of the humerus. Some round shaped burns are also noticed on the child’s legs and abdomen. These signs point out to possible physical abuse. The law requires that such a matter be mandatory
HEALTH CARE ETHICS3reported to the government offices that deal with child rights. Another ethical issue raised in the case is use of abusive language by Sandra’s partner. The abusive words are directed towards both the paramedics and Sandra. This is disrespect for human dignity and highly uncalled for. Despite the abusive language from Sandra’s partner, the paramedics do not reiterate with abuse but informs that they will need to call the police in case he prevents a smooth transfer of the child to the hospital. This is right and ethical of the paramedics and amounts to ethical conduct. The paramedics further offer the care that they are mandated to and transfer the child to a medical centre. This too amounts to ethical practice. There is also another unethical practice perpetrated by the agency nurse. She attempts to intoxicate herself using morphine. This amounts to malpractice. It is highly likely that she was already intoxicated at the time of the attempt. In addition, there is a high likelihood that she is alreadyaddicted.Analysis of the Ethical IssuesHuman dignity implies the worth and respect that is accorded to a human being by thevirtue of being human (Barak, 2015). Human right agencies, the international community andlegislation in many countries around the globe advocate for observing human dignity. As seen in the previous section, using abusive words towards a person amounts to disrespect and does not accord the appropriate human dignity. Inflicting physical pain on a child is also reflects a disrespect of the child’s dignity (Runciman, Merry and Walton, 2017). In this case, the abuse was significant enough to prompt immediate medical attention. Physical abuse or any abuse on that matter that is perpetrated against a child amounts to child abuse and should be reported. It is mandatory that it be reported and the nurse/doctors handling the child shouldreport the issue. The triage nurse (Beth) promises to report the matter to the doctors. This is a good move and health professionals should work together to make sure that it is reported as soon as possible to initiate appropriate investigations.
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