1. DILEMMAS IN HEALTH CARE
ETHICS
DILEMMAS IN HEALTH CARE

2. CODE OF ETHICS Definition of ethics:
Ethics is the study of right and wrong, based on moral law.
It is a system of moral principles or standards governing conduct. It centers around respect for the needs and rights of other people.

3. Definition of ethics
Ethics are based on moral values – formed through the influence of family, culture, and society

4. Ethics provides guidelines for acceptable behavior.

5. ETHICS Professional integrity is dependent on ethical behavior.
Health care workers must understand ethical responsibilities, limitations, and the implications of actions taken.

6. CODE OF ETHICS
Code of Ethics for Health Care Workers
The primary goal of the health care worker is to promote an optimal level of wellness, preserve life, and provide for a peaceful death when necessary.

7. Code of Ethics for Health Care Workers
Respects the religious beliefs and cultural values of all clients (patients).

8. Code of Ethics for Health Care Workers
Provides adequate and continuous care for all clients regardless of age, gender, race, or nature of the illness or injury.

9. ETHICS
Some of the standards of behavior required by a health care provider to carry out their duties are:
confidentiality
accuracy
honesty
dependability

10. Ethics
Ethical Dilemmas – a necessary choice between equally undesirable ethical alternatives
What are some examples of this?
It’s important to remember: legal responsibilities are determined by law.
Ethics provide a standard of conduct or code of behavior. This allows a HCP to analyze info and make decisions based on what people believe is right and good conduct.

11. Ethical Dilemmas Euthanasia (assisted death) AIDS
Aborted fetuses for research
Discontinue life support
Religious rights
Financial issues
Transplant recipients
Discuss the following dilemmas:
Is euthanasia (assisted death) justified in certain patients?
Should a patient be told that a health care provider had AIDS?
Should aborted fetuses be used for research?
When should life support be discontinued?
Do parents have a religious right to refuse a life-saving blood transfusion for their child?
Can a HC facility refuse to provide expensive treatment such as a bone marrow transplant if a pt cannot pay for the treatment?
Who decides whether a 75 y/o pt or a 56 y/o pt gets a single kidney available for transplant?

12. Ethical Dilemmas Selling organs Use of illegal substances
Animals in research
Cloning
Stem cell research
Continue the discussion:
8. Should people be allowed to sell organs for use in transplants?
9. If a person can benefit from marijuana, should a physician be allowed to prescribe it as a treatment?
10. Should animals be used in medical research even if it results in the death of the animal?
11. Should genetic researchers be allowed to transplant specific genes to create the “perfect” human being?
12. Should human beings be cloned?
13. Should aborted embryos be used to obtain stem cells for research, especially since scientists may be able to use the stem cells to cure diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and Parkinson’s?
Many hospitals and LTCF have ethical committees that will address each ethical dilemma as a group. They include medical and laymen, along with family members.

13. Ethical Code Guidelines
National Organizations vary
All have the same basic principles:
Put saving of life and the promotion of health above all else.
Keep patient as comfortable as possible and preserve life.
Respect patient’s choice to die peacefully and with dignity.
National organizations affiliated with the different HC occupations have established ethical codes for personnel in their respective occupations. Although some codes differ slightly, most contain the same basic principles.

14. Ethical Code Guidelines
Treat all patients equally regardless of race, religion, social or economic status, sex, or nationality.
Provide care for all individuals to the best of your ability.
Maintain competency.
Stay informed and continue education.