PHI FPX 3200 Assessment 5 Tonya’s Case: Ethics and Professional Codes
November 2024
Tonya’s Case: Ethics and Professional Codes
Professional codes of ethics and missions of various healthcare institutions guide ethical decision-making in the case of Tonya, especially in matters of end-of-life issues (Doernberg & Truog, 2023). Healthcare ethics principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, take priority in deciding whether to withdraw life support for Tonya, who has already been declared to have permanent brain damage. These also provide the patient with a sense of dignity and emphasize the professional responsibility of the healthcare team to act in the best interest of the patient in order not to cause avoidable harm with medical intervention. Professional codes of ethics for health care professionals, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, are typically articulated based on respect for patient autonomy, but they also highlight the professional role in compassionate and trustworthy actions. The hospital’s mission, vision, and values should indicate to the healthcare providers the ethical considerations, which guide them in making treatment decisions that center on the best interest of patients and respect for the wishes of family members. Such an accrediting agency as The Joint Commission is likely to support decisions that are based on the standards of these ethics, which center on giving more emphasis to patient-care-oriented care, proper treatment delivery, and ethical resolution of complicated cases.
Ethical Principles and Moral Theories
Demonstrating a sound ethical thought process involves the thoughtful application of ethical principles and theories to real-world cases, taking into consideration the myriad specificities of the case (Burr & Leslie, 2022). For example, in the case of a nurse who is at a crossroads between ensuring patient autonomy and safety, the appropriate balancing act between beneficence-the duty to promote well-being and autonomy-the duty to respect autonomy needs to be appropriately applied. A deontological approach, derived from Kant’s ethical theory, would emphasize the duty to respect the autonomy of the patient. In contrast, a utilitarian perspective might emphasize the overall outcome of safety. Original arguments would perhaps be played out in terms of the tensions between these different ethical imperatives and how a balanced approach could be taken-for example, by requiring shared decision-making between clinician and patient but ensuring safety through ongoing monitoring. This application demonstrates not only an understanding of ethical principles but also requires insight into complexities and challenges that arise in real-world ethical decision-making.
Moral Theory for the Case
The best moral theory applicable to this case is utilitarianism. As the theory is based on the greatest good for the greatest number, the nurse needs to think about the well-being of the individual patient and the overall well-being of the healthcare setting created by his/her actions (Xiao et al., 2022). If the patient’s decision may imperil his or her health, the utilitarian practitioner would prioritize interventions meant to maximize the overall health outcome, even if they override the patient’s immediate wishes for the sake of the patient’s long-term safety. Alternatively, a deontological approach could be applied, where the nurse would uphold the patient’s autonomy and right to make his or her own healthcare decisions, irrespective of the potential consequences. Using a moral theory determines the priority decisions the nurse will make, considering individual rights as opposed to potential harm or benefit to the patient.Also visit our site PHI FPX 3200 Assessment 3
Application of Professional Code of Ethics
American Nurses Association (ANA) codes of ethics are professional frameworks to guide health care decisions (Grace et al., 2023). The ANA Code of Ethics rests its core values around respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and fidelity. These principles are thus intended to ensure that nurses maintain high ethical standards while providing compassionate care. Under a scenario where a nurse has to determine whether to uphold a patient’s preference to reject treatment, the Code of Ethics would advise the nurse to respect the patient’s autonomy but at the same time not to favor harm from the refusal. There would be the need for the nurse to balance this respect with his obligation to promote the patient’s well-being since the patient is supposed to fully appreciate the consequences of their decision.
Professional code application to the case would be using these principles to guide her decision by weighing up the patient’s right to autonomy in making decisions given the probability of causing damage to the health of the patient. According to the principle of beneficence, she would urge what is best for the patient, hence trying to persuade the patient to backtrack on such a decision. However, the principle of autonomy calls for upholding a patient’s wishes, provided they are fully informed and capable of making such decisions. Insightful application of the code, however, requires recognizing the complexity of such cases, where principles conflict. The nurse ought to exhibit moral courage by engaging in frank communication with the patient to make a decision that reflects a careful balancing of such professional ethical standards while respecting the dignity and rights of the patient.Also visit our site PHI FPX 3200 Assessment 2
Use of Organizational Documents
Organizational documents such as mission and value statements act as guiding tools for decision-making and aligning actions with an organization’s core principles (Toh et al., 2021). Such statements are usually reflective of the organization’s commitment to its stakeholders, including patients, employees, or the broader community. In examining a case study, such documents provide a lens through which to evaluate how well an organization’s actions have aligned with what it said are its goals and values. For instance, if a health facility’s mission proclaims to help the patient well and respect autonomy, but a case occurs where a healthcare provider overrules a patient’s wishes without clearly informing the patient of his risk, then it shows a disconnection between the value stated in the organizational philosophy and the practice. Two insightfully applied documents would first assess if the organization’s reactions to the situation correspond to its mission and values and then provide novel arguments explaining how the organization can change policies and prepare training sessions to align with ethical commitments. This way, organizational decisions will not only be legal in terms of compliance but also morally consistent with the foundational beliefs of the institution.
Role of Accrediting Bodies
An accrediting agency plays a very crucial role in ensuring that health organizations meet established standards of quality, safety, and ethical practice (Amaral & Norcini, 2022). For example, any healthcare organization would seek accreditation by The Joint Commission or a similar body like the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), in return for a thorough review of adherence by the institution to national healthcare standards, regulatory requirements, and ethical guidelines. Accreditation not only enhances the credibility of the institution but also gives assurances to patients and other stakeholders that the organization strives to offer safe, effective, and ethical care. These bodies characteristically tend to consider factors such as patient safety, clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and competency among the staff, thus making their role intrinsic to maintaining the integrity of healthcare systems.
In applying this understanding, it becomes crucial to analyze how the standards of the accrediting body influence decisions and practice within an organization. For example, when a healthcare facility is faced with a situation in which the rights of a patient may be potentially breached, an accrediting body’s standards on the issue of patient autonomy and informed consent would guide evaluation. This basis can be used to evaluate whether the healthcare provider has operated within the best practice of patient care and if any violations could pose a threat to the accreditation of the organization. Such analysis insightfully implies that accreditation not only provides security for ethical practice but also challenges an organization to continually bring itself in line with the developing expectations of accrediting bodies, all in the name of bringing patient care back to the forefront of its mission.Also visit our site PHI FPX 3200 Assessment 1
PHI FPX 3200 Assessment 5 Conclusion
Finally, ethical principles, professional codes of ethics, organizational documents, and the role of accrediting bodies should be considered when making decisions in healthcare (Rao, 2020). If these frameworks are applied cautiously in such real cases, there is a strong likelihood that their actions will be in keeping with the greater values of patient care, safety, and autonomy. Such principles not only resolve ethical dilemmas but also promote trust, transparency, and accountability in healthcare organizations. Ultimately, such a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to ethics and accreditation would ensure that healthcare providers stay committed to high-quality care measured on the scale of ethics in delivering the welfare of patients.
PHI FPX 3200 Assessment 5 References
Amaral, E., & Norcini, J. (2022). Quality assurance in health professions education: role of accreditation and licensure. Medical Education, 57(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.14880
Burr, C., & Leslie, D. (2022). Ethical assurance: a practical approach to the responsible design, development, and deployment of data-driven technologies. AI and Ethics, 3. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-022-00178-0
Doernberg, S., & Truog, R. (2023). Spheres of morality: The ethical codes of the medical profession. The American Journal of Bioethics, 23(12), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2022.2160514
Grace, P. J., Peter, E., Lachman, V. D., Johnson, N. L., Kenny, D. J., & Wocial, L. D. (2023). Professional responsibility, nurses, and conscientious objection: A framework for ethical evaluation. Nursing Ethics, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/09697330231180749
