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Administrative Ethics

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Administrative Ethics
HCS/335
August 13, 2012

Administrative Ethics The code of ethics for health care administrator outlines how they must behave when it comes to their professional relationship with colleagues, employees, and patients. They state that the administrator must always be respectful and honest, follow all rules and regulations, never exploit any professional relationship, and never discriminate or allow discrimination against patients ("American Academy of Medical Administrators", 2012). Administrative ethical issues continue to occur despite having the code of ethics in place. This paper will reflect on an ethical dilemma between administration and an employee as well as, discuss the solution to the dilemma.
Administrative Issue A registered nurse, working as a flex pool nurse in a hospital, diverts narcotics to reduce anxiety and stress in her job. She signed out medication to patients that had not requested it and she substituted saline for drugs in syringes. When her actions were discovered she was confronted by her own administrator and the administrator of the unit she was assigned too. The nurse confessed to her behavior and asked for help, which was granted with a leave of absence and rehabilitation. The administrative issue at hand is whether the administrators should disclose confidential information concerning an employee to safeguard the patients and promote competent nursing care (Badzek, Mitchell, Marra, & Bower, 1998).
The Impact If confidentiality is not maintained the nurses dignity and respect for person could be compromised and her inability to maintain privacy will deny her right to expression of autonomy. Revealing information about this nurse could harm her in such a ways as embarrassment, discrimination, physical or emotional harm, ridicule, loss of roles and relationships, and even economic harm

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