...Running head: ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS IN PRACTICE Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Grand Canyon University May 9, 2012 Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Patient confidentiality is part of the Nursing Code of Ethics and it is a nurses’ duty to uphold confidentiality of patient information (American Nurses Association, 2012). However, there are certain situations in which a confidentiality breach is acceptable, such as when a patient voices harm to themselves or others and certain sexually transmitted diseases STDs). The following is a breakdown of the ethical implications of a breach of confidentiality, the ethical theory, the alternatives to breaching confidentiality using the framework of ethical decision making and the role of the ethics committees. Ethical Implications of a Breach of Confidentiality A confidentiality breach is when patient information is disclosed to a party that is not a direct part of the patients’ healthcare team without obtaining the appropriate patient consent (American Medical Association, 2012). It is important for the nurse to maintain confidentiality to gain the patients trust, except in situations that are required by law to be reported. When confidentiality is breached many ethical implications arise. Some of these implications are losing a patients’ trust and disclosing information to parties that is not required by law, which could cause harm to the patient. In the article “Bioethics on NBC’s ER:...
Words: 1246 - Pages: 5
...Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Vanessa Dolce Grand Canyon University April 30, 2012 Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice In nursing certain situations will call you to question what is right and what is wrong. One of the biggest dilemmas nurses face is what things we should tell or not to tell. Is it better to stay quiet or vocalize the problems at hand? Sometimes telling means we break the trust of our patients but help them in return. While other times, not saying anything is the best option for them at that time. In a world that is composed of black and white, it is so hard to see the grey. When is it admirable to breach confidentiality between a patient and a health care provider? Is it when a patient exposes a life threatening life style? Or is it when they tell you they are afraid of their living situation? Legal exceptions to the standard of practice that confidences must be kept, except with the patient's consent or at the patient's request to break it, include the following; An emergency in which keeping the confidence will harm the patient. The patient is incompetent or incapacitated, and a third party needs to be informed to be a surrogate decision maker for the patient. Third parties are at serious risk for harm (e.g., sexually transmitted diseases, child or other abuse). Request for commitment or hospitalization of a psychiatrically ill patient. A serious risk that many others may be harmed (a terrorist threat) (Purtilo & Doherty...
Words: 812 - Pages: 4
...Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice A nurse’s job is not just limited to administering medications and educating patients. Nurses also have a role in duties regarding legal and ethical issues, which include maintaining a patient’s confidentiality and privacy. When a nurse accepts the job, he or she also takes the Nightingale Pledge that was established in 1893 (McGowan, 2012). This pledge states that a nurse would do “all in [his or her] power to maintain and elevate the standard of [his or her] profession, and hold in confidence all personal matters committed to [his or her] keeping and all family affairs coming to [his or her] knowledge in the practice of [his or her] calling” (McGowan, 2012). A patient’s confidentiality is protected today through policies, regulations, and laws made by the hospital, state, and federal system. There is one question that is always open for debate: should a nurse ever breach confidentiality? In “Bioethics on NBC’s ER: Betraying Trust or Providing Good Care? When is it Ok to Break Confidentiality?” written by Pamela G. Nathanson, Carol Hathaway, a character that portrays a nurse in a television show, comes face to face with dilemma that could lead to a breach of confidentiality. After gaining the trust of two teenage girls, Hathaway worries about what would happen if she protects the confidentiality of the girls after learning about one of their diagnoses. Andrea, one of the teenagers who attended a sex party, was diagnosed with not only...
Words: 1208 - Pages: 5
...Running head: ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice NRS 437V September 01, 2012 Appling Ethical Frameworks in Practice A conclusive ethical foundation in the healthcare arena is confidentiality. It is referred to the standard of maintaining secure and private from others health care information revealed during a professional consultation. This is an essential legal right of every client and an ethical duty of the medical community (Bourke, 2008). Maintaining confidentiality between the client and healthcare professional translates to a trustworthy relationship, especially with adolescents. This paper will discuss implications to breach confidentiality, ethical principles, alternatives and ethical committee applications to an ethical dilemma. Implications of Breach of Confidentiality To promote trust between the patient and healthcare provider is a good reason to appreciate confidentiality in health management. To release information to a third party without consent of the patient is considered a breach of confidentiality and illegal. For example, adolescents are encouraged to participate in health care prevention. Many are depressed and even sexually active, but the challenge to provide access and receive adequate care is necessary. Confidentiality is the primary reason this juvenile group deter from health care prevention and management (English & Ford, 2007). A breach of confidentiality in juvenile health care has...
Words: 1093 - Pages: 5
...Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Adetutu S. Toyin-oke Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Under what circumstances is one allowed to break patient-nurse confidentiality? As a nurse one may think of a few personal situations where they had to break that confidentiality. Ethical framework such as the nightingale pledge and ethical principles stated in nursing textbooks were meant to provide guidelines on how to most appropriately treat people in the healthcare field; however, when ethical framework is applied to nursing practice, a nurse may run into many implications. Ethical implications What are the implications of a breach of confidentiality? Well, the most obvious consequence is that the patient will not be able to trust her nurse or maybe even all nurses in general. In Pamela G. Nathanson’s article, Betraying Trust or Providing Good Care? When is it okay to break confidentiality?, She depicts a story of a nurse who is in an ethical dilemma. This nurse promised two teenage patients “who [were] reluctant to enter into care that no matter what they tell her, she will not divulge any information to the patient's parents or to anyone else (Nathanson, 2000).” However one of these two patients tested positive for HPV. A physician advices this nurse “that not only should she inform Andrea's parents of her diagnosis, but that she should also inform the girls' school since it has become a ‘public health issue’ (Nathanson, 2000).” According to Nathanson, “If confidentiality...
Words: 866 - Pages: 4
...Applying Ethical Framework in Practice Grand Canyon University: NRS – 437V June 14, 2015 Ethics and Nursing Practice This paper will address the use of the Uustal’s decision making models in regards to analyzing a specific scenario that has precipitated an ethical dilemma in regards to providing medical care. The scenario consist of a 6-year-old who has developed a high fever accompanied by violent vomiting and convulsions while at school. The hospital physician makes a diagnosis of meningitis and requested to begin treatment. The child’s parents are divorced with the mother, who is not the biological parent retaining custody. The mother is a Christian Scientist and is refusing medical treatment due to religious reasons. The child’s biological father requests that treatment be provided and that another independent physician be consulted in regards to the care. The Ethical Dilemma A large responsibility of being a parent to make decisions on how to best care for their children. This encompasses how to best discipline them, what activities they may engage in, what foods they eat, and the medical care they receive. Parents have a duty to assure that the decisions they make take into account what is in the best interest of their child. As medical personnel we are both ethically and legally responsible to advocate for our patients. When a parents decisions may likely cause injury, be abusive, or be derelict it is our duty to address that decision. Medical personnel...
Words: 1657 - Pages: 7
...Running head: APPLYING ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS IN PRACTICE Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Grand Canyon University Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Implications of a breach of confidentiality In the NBC’s ER: Betraying trust or providing good care? A14 year old girl Andrea came to trust the nurse that was caring for her and after being told that the information would be confidential, disclosed that she had been sexually active. When it became apparent that she had cervical cancer and needed treatment which required parental consent; Nurse Carol Hathaway faced a dilemma of remaining true to her promise and allow Andrea to possibly go untreated or break confidentiality and inform the parents. The purpose of confidentiality between patient and medical care provider is to gain trust and provide the patient with privacy regarding their medical care and allow the patient assurance that personal matters will remain confidential. When private information is disclosed without the patient consent this is regarded as a breach of confidentiality and is morally, ethically and legally wrong. The implications are a lack of trust between the patient and the healthcare provider and the patient may not disclose vital information regarding their condition thereby may not receive adequate care.(Nathanson, 2000). There are exceptions which “require physicians to report certain infectious diseases to public health authorities to protect the health of the community”...
Words: 864 - Pages: 4
...Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Grand Canyon University Roopneet kaur NRS-437v-o101 August 13, 2014 Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Patient confidentiality is essential in developing a trusting relationship between a healthcare worker and the patient. Confidentiality means that the patients personal and medical information that is given to a health care provider will not be disclosed to others unless the patient has given permission for the information to be released ("Confidentiality," 2014). Confidentiality and privacy are two of the fundamental rights of every individual. Protecting these rights with respect to every patient’s personal information is not just ethical but a legal obligation as well. One of the key components of patient and nurse relationship is the assurance that each healthcare workers hold to respect, and that is to value and safeguard every patient’s information and their privacy. But when does the breach of confidentially happen? When is the nurse required to draw the line? An example of these applies on infectious diseases and cases of abuse, where challenges occur that compels the nurse to report the...
Words: 2035 - Pages: 9
...Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Nursing has a renowned history of concern and interest for the welfare of the sick, injured and vulnerable for social justice. Nursing encompasses prevention of illness, decreasing suffering, and the protection, promotion, and restoration of health. Ethics is been an integral part of the foundation of nursing and it is self reflective, enduring and distinctive. In the professional course, a nurse encounters with different types of patients, several types of families and varied situations. Every patient has certain rights and a nurse has to respect them in both legal and ethical aspects. Confidentiality is important to create confidence between nurses and patients. Without promising privacy to their matters, patients will be hesitant to share important information to health care professionals which may be necessary for their care. Respecting patient’s confidentiality is a legal requirement and also a professional, ethical and legal duty. By law, breaching confidentiality may end in unlawful condemnation and punishments The moral consequence when breaking confidentiality is loss of client, loss of reputation, loss of revenue, and breaking of moral, lawful and moral obligations. A credulous bond between nurses and patients will improve patient satisfaction and will help patient to disclose even the most sensitive information which will help in their treatment and care. This will also improve adherence to medical management plans in almost...
Words: 1012 - Pages: 5
...Applying Ethical Framework in Practice Adele Wolf, RN Grand Canyon University Ethical Decision Making in Health Care NRS 437V Charlene Cowley, MS, RN, CPNP February 26, 2011 Applying Ethical Framework in Practice Confidentiality is the right of an individual patient to have personal, identifiable medical information kept private; such information should be available only to the physician of record and other health care and insurance personnel as necessary. The only time information should be disclosed is with informed consent, with concern for the safety of other specific persons, or in concern for public welfare (K. Edwards, 2008). This paper will discuss the choices made by one nurse who cared for teenage girls in an episode of ER in 2000. Did she make the correct choices? Is it ever the right thing to do when confidentiality is broken? We will explore this case with the choices that can and should be made in this situation. In this episode of ER, the nurse is Carol Hathaway, she promises two young patients who are reluctant to enter into care that no matter what they tell her, she will not divulge any information to their parents or to anyone else. Test result for Andrea, one of the 14 year olds, is positive for human papillomavirus-(HPV) an extremely common sexually transmitted disease (STD). There are over 85 types of HPV infection and 95% of all cervical cancers are linked to HPV infection, which makes HPV the first sexually transmitted cancer. When...
Words: 1064 - Pages: 5
...Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Grand Canyon University Ethical Decision Making in Health Care NRS-437v Ethical Decision Making in Health Care January 12, 2014 Breeching Confidentiality Being a nurse patient confidentiality is common knowledge and we all know it is to be treated with the up most respect. In nursing school this is taught; it is part of the Nursing Code of Ethics. It is a nurse’s duty to keep patient information confidential. (American Nurses Association, 2012). However instances exist that allow for a break in this rule. In fact there are some instances where it would be a violation of a rule to not share a patient’s information. If a patient was to come into the emergency room with cuts to his or her arm and confided in you the nurse that he does not want to live anymore; it is then your duty as the nurse to report this information as the patient is at risk for harming himself. There are also certain diseases you must report by law if identified. This paper will go over reasons and times when it is ethically and legally expected to breech confidentiality, what you can do in place of a confidentiality breech and how to make an ethical decision. Nurses are told personal information from patients; the law all personal information to be kept private. Clients will volunteer everything in assumption that trust will be upheld and their personal information will only be used for their medical needs. Breaking confidentiality is when a patient’s information...
Words: 1180 - Pages: 5
...Running Head: VARK Learning Style Assessment VARK Learning Style Assessment Joby Reji Grand Canyon University Family Health Promotion NRS-429V Dawn,Peter November19, 2011 VARK Learning Style Assessment Learning styles are different methods of learning. Each individual has his/her own way of learning . Identifying a learning style would help an individual to focus on his strong points and pay more attention on weak points. People with learning disabilities or attention deficit disorder would benefit from these learning styles. In 1987 Neil Fleming invented VARK Questionnaire which help users to identify learning preferences. These preferences are about the ways that they want to take in and give out information (VARK, 2011).VARK questionnaires are very helpful for some learners, which enable them to change their study habits, some learners already know about their way of learning, questionnaire or inventory does not make any difference in their study habits. VARK questionnaire can be found online or on paper, gives an option of more than one answer for a question. VARK questionnaire is short with 13-16 questions to prevent students survey fatigue (Fleming and Baume,2006).VARK questionnaire is not a distinctive measure, but it gives a method of thinking about how to prioritize the learning strategy. VARK consist of 5 strategies- visual, aural, read/write, kinesthetic and multimodal. In visual study strategy...
Words: 1006 - Pages: 5
...Patient Confidentiality: A Nurse’s Perspective Grand Canyon University: NRS-437V Ethical Decision Making in Health Care Ann Yurco, RN June 15, 2014 Patient Confidentiality: A Nurse’s Perspective One of the first things we learn in nursing school is in regard to a patient’s privacy and the confidentiality we are to abide by when caring for them. We learn the rules and regulations of the “Privacy Rule” and HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996). These were put in place to ensure confidentiality and accountability in cases where patient’s health information is compromised, (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2014). During an episode of the television series “ER” a main character, “Nurse Hathaway”, struggles with an ethical dilemma in which she must decide whether or not to break confidentiality with her patient who is also a minor in the name of the law. This patient’s diagnosis turns out to be a serious condition, cervical cancer. The author will discuss this dilemma in terms of ethical implications, ethical theories, alternative solutions, if any, as well as the author’s position on this dilemma. The author will also refer to a landmark case, “Tarasoff vs. Regents” in which “a psychologist failed to warn a woman or her family when his patient threatened to murder the woman,” (Nathanson, 2000) to discuss confidentiality ethics. Ethical Implications of a Breach of Confidentiality There are several implications when referring to...
Words: 1302 - Pages: 6
...Applying Ethical Frameworks Name Institute Applying Ethical Frameworks Yes, I would like to take action regarding the situation. Different ethical frameworks allow me to take action so that the justice could be maintained. I used ethical frameworks so that the justice, equality, utilitarianism and other things could be continued. I would not like to give favor to my colleague who is telling me that I should not take action and keep myself away from such action. If I accept his suggestion of ignoring it may lead the negative consequences in the future. I am taking action because I know that if today I ignore it and relaxed him it means I am not giving favor to ethics. The concept of utilitarianism is ignored if I do not take action. The concept of Consequentialism does not allow me not to take action against because its consequences would be very severe. Other ethical virtues such as retribution and honesty allow me to take actions regarding such situation. The emotional empiricism also permits me to take actions regarding such dilemma. In emotional empiricism if I don’t take action it will always disturb my gut feelings, not to take action when there is great problem relevant to ethics. The deontological framework of ethics also gives me permission that I should take action so that I could fulfill oath requirements (Donaldson's & Dunfee's, 1994). The duty includes such type of actions which lay under my job domain. It is also suggested that I am responsible for...
Words: 976 - Pages: 4
...Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice Soniya , RN Grand Canyon University: NRS 437V Professor: Teresa Ortner, RNC, MSNEd December 11, 2012 Applying Ethical Frameworks in Practice When patient seeks for assist and care, professional-patient relationship is established and the promise of confidentiality is incriminated automatically. Respecting confidentiality is the professional commitment. Yet occasionally unavoidable situations bring health care profession to face nothing but the alternative choices which ends up breaching the confidentiality. The author would like to discuss one’s professional position regarding the ethical implications of a breach of confidentiality, ethical theories and principles, identify alternatives, and ethics committee’s approach in resolving ethical dilemma. Ethical Implications of a Breach of Confidentiality The medical profession has an obligation to live up to the patient's expectations of privacy and to earn the trust. By breaching confidentiality, patients no longer disclose honest and full information to medical professionals, or even initiate avoidance of seeking future care. Without trusting medical professionals, it is hard to expect for patients to reveal private and intimate nature of the information which could be vital in treatment decision. It means breaching confidentiality not only denies individual privacy but also prevents the autonomy of patient (Nathanson, 2000). Who would volunteer the info when he or she sees it...
Words: 1234 - Pages: 5
