Walden University, HLTH 8300: Medical Code of Conduct Report

This report analyzes a case involving an elderly patient with respiratory distress and gangrene who was brought to the ER with his daughter. The patient, despite showing signs of slight dementia, expressed his wish to refuse amputation. However, the healthcare team proceeded with the amputation based on his daughter's insistence, raising ethical and legal concerns regarding patient autonomy, informed consent, and the role of a surrogate decision-maker. The report examines the patient's competency, the healthcare administrator's responsibilities, and the implications of HIPAA guidelines. It also discusses the potential impact of the daughter's surrogate decision-making power on the case's outcome and the challenges faced by surrogate decision-makers. The report recommends that potential healthcare surrogates approach their role professionally, adhering to ethical codes of conduct to ensure patient rights and well-being.

Running head: MEDICAL CODE OF CONDUCT
Medical Code of Conduct
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1MEDICAL CODE OF CONDUCT
1. In this case, the healthcare team did not know that whether the daughter of the patient had
the surrogate power to give consent to the Emergency Service to amputate his gangrened
right leg. They had to proceed with the amputation under the threat of the patient’s
daughter who wanted her to take her father back home as soon as possible. The
healthcare administrator did not care for the patient’s wish who had the competence to
take his own decision ("Consumer Guides | FloridaHealthFinder.gov", 2018).
2. The patient had a gangrene on his right leg and had certain respiratory issues. The ER
nurses found that he had slight dementia. However, he showed no sign of mental illness
or instability that would affect his sense of judgment. Therefore, it can be held that the
patient had the competence to make autonomous decision regarding the amputation of his
gangrened right leg.
3. The patient was not ready for the amputation as he said that he had lived enough and
wanted to die with his full body. The healthcare administrator was under the ethical
obligation to consider the patient’s point of view, which they failed to do and operated
the patient as per his daughter’s direction. The administrator should have made sure
whether the patient’s daughter was the surrogate decision maker as directed by Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 1996 (HIPAA) guideline (Fuller, 2018).
4. The patient would have been provided with the treatment for his respiratory issues and
dementia, along with the treatment for the gangrene on his right feet. Mr. Jimenez, the
patient would have been diagnosed as to whether he was mentally able to give consent

2MEDICAL CODE OF CONDUCT
regarding his amputation. Mr. Jimenez’s daughter would have been investigated for
neglecting her father’s gangrene and respiratory problems and not arranging for proper
medical attention.
5. The Surrogate power of Mr. Jimenez’s daughter would have changed the outcome of the
case. The surrogate decision-making power of Mr. Jimenez’s daughter for her father
would not have given rise to the ethical issue, as her capacity of taking the decision of her
father’s amputation would not have been questioned. It would have not been unethical on
the hospital’s part for failing to consider the patient’s wish regarding the amputation.
6. A role of a surrogate decision maker is extremely difficult as it involves stress and
anxiety as a person’s medical care and attention depends upon the surrogate’s
competency and efficiency. A severely ill person requires much more attention and care,
which involves critical medical decisions as well. Therefore, it can be held that the
experience as a healthcare surrogate or a medical power of attorney is not bad, yet quite
intense.
As for recommendation, it is advised to the potential healthcare surrogates not to
be personally or emotionally attached to the patients. They must be taken care of
professionally, following the code of conduct laid down by HIPAA.

3MEDICAL CODE OF CONDUCT
Reference
Consumer Guides | FloridaHealthFinder.gov. (2018). Retrieved from
http://www.floridahealthfinder.gov/reports-guides/patient-bill-rights.aspx
Fuller, M. B. (2018). Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.