Health And Social Care Ethics

Baker, R. (2015). The significance of the ASBH’s Code of Ethics for Healthcare Ethics Consultants. American Journal of Bioethics, 15(5), 52-54. Doi:10.1080/15265161.2015.1023907

Nurses are constantly challenged by changes which occur in their practice environment and are under the influence of internal or external factors. Due to the increased complexity of the health system, nowadays nurses are faced with ethical and legal decisions and often come across dilemmas regarding patient care. From this perspective a good question to be raised would be whether or not nurses have the necessary background, knowledge and skills to make appropriate legal and ethical decisions. Even though most nursing programs cover the ethical and moral issues in health care, it is questionable if new nurses have the depth of knowledge and understanding of these issues and apply them in their practice

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, the Affordable care Act from President Obama gives consumers more options and benefits when seeking coverage from insurance company. It offers lowering cost as well as gets more access to high quality of care. This law creates Patient’s Bill of Rights that is very effective to protect consumers from any abuses or fraud from insurance company. Some preventive services are available to many Americans especially Medicare recipients at no cost. Not just that, they also receive a special offer of 50 percent discount for any well-known drugs in the market place under Medicare named “donut hole.” The Affordable Care Act helps other organizations and programs to convince healthcare providers

In health and social care, four key Ethical Principles that are taken into account during these settings. Which are:

This report will be analysing the policies and legislations guiding the service user and the organisation caring for them. The importance of ethics in social care will also be explained .the case study will be discussed using the policies and legislations provided by the government.

Ethics are statements written that mirrors the principles of society it reflects society’s views of what is right or humanitarian. However, morals are not written and are codes setting out what is thought to be good enough or offensive behaviour.

I blew the whistle in this situation when the lack of ethical care for residents and work ethics fell short of the normal standards. As a care provider one must always be aware of that the dignity of the client when it comes to their care. I return to my regular position after three months of working graveyards to find that the residents were being brought to the dining room in the hospital gowns. There was no regard for the resident’s dignity. Their backs were exposed and often the gown was exposing their chest. No one took in count how the resident must feel going into the dining room so exposed. The staff could of a least put on clothing over top of the gown or a sweater to hide what they were wearing. And use a lap blanket so they

One of the main ethical issues that faces health care is the security of patient information. This information is protected by laws and regulations such as HIPPA, but there are still concerns Scott, et al, 2005). Among those concerns is the new concept of electronic patient records and information. These records are designed to help hospitals and doctors get patient information more quickly, so that patients can receive treatment as soon as possible. Unfortunately, anything kept and transmitted on a computer has the potential to be hacked, so that is a serious concern for patients. Not all patients want their medical records to be available electronically, but they may not have too many options (Romano & Stafford, 2010). Opting out may not be an option for them, and if they do have that option it could reduce the speed and quality of treatment that these patients would receive. Do they want to risk that, just so they can feel as though their medical information is better protected?

As a health care provider, I believe physicians do have the right to refuse certain procedures do to morals or religious beliefs. I have seen as a physician had stated to me "fire" a patient. The reasons he gave were that the patient never showed up for her prenatal visits. A letter was sent to the patient many times about coming to prenatal visits, but she never showed up. When the patient didn't respond, she was let go from that physicians practice. The physician felt morally that he couldn't provide the optimum care for the patient, and it was in the patients best interest to get her care elsewhere. Another physician suggested the patient go to another hospital for care because she wanted only women caring for her, for religious reasons, and only male physicians were working that day. The patient and her husband talked about it and decided to stay, and they ended up loving the care they received from the male physicians. I have also seen many doctors refer early second trimester abortions to a physician that could accommodate the patient. Most

Teamwork- It has been found that relying too heavily on health information technology (IT) for communication can reduce teamwork (Yoder-Wise, 2011, p. 215). With the availability of information on the internet and computer software, nurses do not need to rely on co-workers or physicians for information. According to Yoder-Wise (2011), IT “will never eliminate the need for personal communication and teamwork” (p. 215).

Staff starts to get really excited to have a new manager, after four months without one. The charge nurses on the unit were excited to have a new manager who will provide feedback and not afraid to discipline staff. According to the new manager’s interview, she has experience firing staff who do not follow her guidelines. The charge nurses had a meeting where the interim manager and new manager where they met up and discussed what needed revamping and what difficulties the staff had providing feedback to our colleagues. The charge nurses previously felt unsupported and didn't know how to hold their colleagues responsible for their actions. It was difficult because they would get push back from their colleagues, with no feedback from their

Pertaining to this case challenging social injustice is the ethical responsibility that we are focusing on. “Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people” (NASW, 2008, Ethical Principals Section, para 2). It is our duty as a social worker to advocate and fight for children, not only when children have been subject to abuse and neglect but also when they are removed from their family of origin and placed in foster care. Schagrin (2007) states:

The ethical principle that was violated which could result to a civil act based facts was the patient right more specifically right of privacy. Whenever patient information is withholding and could not be given to the patient as long as the patient is deemed competent regardless of the medical status, this considers as a violation which can be prosecuted. According to Thomas and Moore (2013), individuals are entitled to make decisions about their healthcare if they are deemed competent. To be competent is the capacity or the ability of the person to understand information presented, to appreciate the consequences of acting or not acting on that information, and to make a choice. This patient was deprived from his own information which is entitled

With a growing epidemic of obesity in America, some states and lawmakers have resorted to taking unconventional measures in order to counter the growing issue. Many legislators are debating the effectiveness of a “fat tax” would be on limiting the consumption of soda, high fat foods, and high sugar foods, and ultimately reducing the rate of morbidity and mortality due to obesity. The idea is that long term consumption of high fat, high sugar foods and drinks lead to many health problems, so making them more expensive and less accessible should decrease the health issues related to their consumption.

oppose the legalization of medical euthanasia. That is not to say that if administered under a