Ethical Dimensions of Nursing Discuss ethical standards set forth by Saudi Nurses Acknowledge the dignity and worth of each individual Discuss issues related to patient’s rights from a nursing perspective

Code of Professional Conduct for Nursing Purpose Safeguarding and promoting the interests of patients and society. Uphold and enhance the good standing reputation of the nursing profession. Provide a means for nurses to exercise professional self regulation

Code of Professional Conduct is derived from the following values Accountability Dignity Privacy and confidentiality Fairness

Accountability Comply with code: Support national health care initiatives Maintain high standards and report, malpractice, suspect unethical, incompetent or unsafe care. Be honest and trustful. Act to promote interests of of patient.etc

Dignity Promote, protect and advocate the dignity and respect of those patients who are vulnerable. Understand the individuals value system. Respect the person regardless of race, sex, language, personal attributes, nationality, social status, or the nature of their health problems. Strengthen patient’s confidence by giving adequate information and involving them in decisions regarding their own care.

Privacy Privacy is limiting access to a person, the person’s body, conservations, bodily functions, and objects immediately associated with the person unless access is necessary to give care.

Confidentiality Confidentiality means protecting all confidential information concerning patients. Knowing patient’s secrets obtained in the course of professional practice, does not entitle the nurse to hint at them in some way that exposes those secrets. Disclosure could only be made with consent.

Privacy and Confidentiality Ensure that the patients physical and emotional privacy is protected at all times.Protect patients body from being exposed unnecessary while performing any procedure. Ensure patient privacy when obtaining health personal information. Refrain from obtaining information which is unnecessary to provide health care. Obtain patients consent

Patients Rights Patients right to health care The right to make informed decisions The right to confidentiality The right to dignity including the right to die with dignity The right to be treated with respect

The importance of ethics The changing nature of societies Changing nature of health care The need to protect the interests of people requiring or receiving health care The increasing complexity and diversity of moral problems facing nurses. Stringent moral accountability and responsibility expected of nurses

Making Ethical Decisions Difficult choice exists between actions that conflict with needs of one or more persons Moral principles exist that can be used to provide some justification for the action The choice is guided by a process of weighing reasons

Making Ethical Decisions (cont’d) The decision must be freely and consciously chosen The choice is affected by personal feelings and by the particular context of the situation

Enhancing Ethical Decision-making Becoming aware of personal values and ethical aspects of nursing Becoming familiar with nursing code of ethics Seeking continuing education to remain knowledgeable about ethical issues in nursing

Enhancing Ethical Decision-making Respecting the values, opinions, and responsibilities of other health care professionals Participating in or establishing ethic rounds Serving on institutional ethics committees Striving for collaborative practice

Common Ethical Issues HIV/AIDS clients Abortions Organ or tissue transplantation End-of-life decisions Cost-containment issues (resource allocation) Breaches of client confidentiality