Baisc Ethical Principles

8/2/2019 Baisc Ethical Principles

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as c urs ng: oun a ons o

Skills & Concepts

ETHICALRESPONSIBILITIES


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Ethics

The branch of philosophy concernedwith the distinction of right from wrongon the basis of a body of knowledgerather than on just opinions.

Ethics looks at human behavior - thingspeople do under different types ofcircumstances.


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Bioethics

The application of ethical principles ofhealth care.


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Why is Ethics an IncreasingIssue for Health Care?

an increasingly technological society with

complicated issues that never had to be consideredbefore.

the changing fabric of society, particularly in terms of

family structure.

health-care has become a consumer-driven systembased on clients becoming more knowledgeable.


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Ethical Principles

Codes that direct or govern actions.


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Basic Ethical Principles

Autonomy -The respect for individual liberty

Justice -The equitable distribution of potentialbenefits and risks

Fidelity -The duty to do what one has promised Nonmaleficence -The obligation to do or cause no

harm to another Beneficence -The duty to do good to others Veracity -The obligation to tell the truth


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Ethical Theories

Teleology- the value of a situation is determined by

its consequences. Deontology- the intrinsic significance of an act itself

as the criterion for the determination of good. Situational Theory- holds that there are no set rules

or norms. Each situation must be consideredindividually. Caring-Based Theory- focuses on emotions,

feelings, and attitudes.


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Values

Values are different from principles, inthat they influence the development ofbeliefs and attitudes, rather thanbehaviors. They may, however,

indirectly influence behaviors.


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Value System

An individuals collection of inner beliefsthat guides the way the person acts andhelps determine the choices made inlife.


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Value Clarification

The process of analyzing ones ownvalues to better understand thosethings that are truly important in life.


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Value Clarification

The process of analyzing ones ownvalues to better understand thosethings that are truly important in life.


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Self-Reflection

Because ethics and values are soclosely associated, nurses must exploretheir own values in order toacknowledge the value systems of their

clients.


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Ethical Codes

Codes are used to help nurses actethically.

These have been developed bynursing organizations such as theNFLPN, the ICN and the ANA.


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The Patients Bill of Rights

A document designed to guaranteeethical care of clients in terms of theirdecision making about treatmentchoices and other aspects of their care.


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Ethical Dilemma

A conflict between two or more ethicalprinciples.

In an ethical dilemma, there is nocorrect decision.


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Major Types of Ethical Dilemma

Euthanasia.

Refusal of Treatment.

Scarcity of Resources.


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Euthanasia

Intentional action or lack of action thatcauses the merciful death of someonesuffering from a terminal illness orincurable condition.


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Refusal of Treatment

Based on the principle of autonomy.

A clients rights to refuse treatment and

to die often challenge the values ofmost health care providers.


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Scarcity of Resources

The allocation of scarce resources (e.g.organs, specialists) is emerging as amajor medical dilemma.


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Ethical Decision Making

EVALUATIONEvaluation of outcome of moral actions

"Were the actions ethical?" "What were the consequences?"

IMPLEMENTATION

Carrying out selected moral actions

PLANNINGConsideration of priorities of claims

Consideration of consequences of alternatives

ANALYSIS & DIAGNOSISIdentification of problem: Statement of ethical dilemma

ASSESSMENTDetermination of claims and parties


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Ethics Committees

Many health care agencies now recognize the need

for a systematic manner whereby to discuss ethicalconcerns.

Multidisciplinary committees offer dialogue regardingethical dilemmas.

Ethics committees can lead to the establishment ofpolicies and procedures for the prevention andresolution of dilemmas.


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Nurse as Client Advocate

When acting as client advocate, thenurses first step is to develop ameaningful relationship with the client.

The nurse is then able to makedecisions with the client based on thestrength of the relationship.


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Nurse as Whistleblower

Whistleblowingrefers to calling attention to unethical,

illegal, or incompetent actions of others.

Whistleblowing is based on the ethical principles ofveracity and nonmaleficence.

Federal and state laws (to varying degrees) provideprotection, such as privacy, to whistleblowers.


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Questions for Whistleblowers

Whose problem is this?

Must I do anything about it?

Is it my fault?

Who am I to judge? Do I have the facts straight?

Documents

Baisc Ethical Principles