Transition to Registered Nursing Ethics and Legal Issues

Transition to Registered Nursing Ethics and Legal Issues of Professional Nursing West Coast University Week 8 8 -1

Objectives n n n Discuss Ethics as it applies to professional nursing practice Describe legal issues Present a case study to discuss ethical decision-making 2

First let’s look at some words n Values n n Morals n n Beliefs that guide our thoughts and actions Rules of right and wrong that guide decisions and behavior; the faithful observance to noncodified personal beliefs Ethics n How people act because of a moral standard; the formal and systematic study of moral beliefs 3

First let’s look at some words n Bioethics n n Applied ethics n n Ethical theories and principles in health care situations Put into practice Ethical dilemma n Conflicts between two or more ethical principles 4

Teleology (utilitarianism) n Humanistic and out-come orientated approach The greatest good for the greatest number n The end justifies the means n 5

Deontology n n The right or wrong of an action is dependent upon the morality of the action The action is moral if it is based on good will To do one’s duty is right n To not do one’s duty is wrong n 6

Ethical Principles in Professional Nursing Practice n n n Justice Autonomy Beneficence Nonbeneficence (Nonmalefiecence) Fidelity Veracity 7

Nurses Code of Ethics n 2001 Provisions n n Nine http: //nursingworld. org/ethics/code/prot ected_nwcoe 303. htm 8

Provisions n n Practice with compassion and respect regardless of social, economic or personal attributes Primary commitment to the patient: individual, family, group, or community 9

Provisions n n n Promotes, advocates and strives to protect health, safety and patient rights Accountable for individual nursing practice and delegates appropriately to provide optimum care Cares for self as others and continues professional growth 10

Provisions n n Participates in establishing, maintaining, and improving health care environments and working conditions for quality health care Participates in advancement of the profession through practice, education, administration and knowledge development 11

Provisions n n Collaborates with other health professionals and the public promoting community, national and international efforts to meet health needs The profession of nursing is responsible for articulating nursing values to maintain integrity of the profession, its practice and shaping social policy 12

Ethical decision-making Step Clarify the ethical dilemma Thoughts Gather the data Identify options Making decisions Choosing a course of action Evaluation 13

Legal Issues n Torts n intentional or unintentional civil wrong that results in physical, emotional or economic harm 14

Legal Issues n Negligence n A reasonable act that a prudent person would not have done in a same or similar situation 15

Legal Issues n Malpractice n n Professional negligence Good Samaritan Law n If you act prudently you can not be sued 16

Legal Issues n Assault n n A threat or attempt to make physical contact with someone that does not desire contact Battery n A completed assault – someone has physical contact that did not give permission or consent 17

Legal Issues n Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) n n Protected Health Information (PHI) n n Not an option, patients need to know, can have copies of medical records Can’t trace or lead to patient identification Nurse Practice Act n Defines and describes the scope of nursing practice 18

What would you do? ? Mr. J 63 y/o Hispanic male who has recently had a bilateral BKA due to diabetic foot ulcers. He lives alone and refuses anymore care. He demands to go home, his family refuses to care for him, and refuses home health. 19

Next Week n Final n Are you taking practice tests? 20