1. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.1

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3. 3 Purpose of Ethics To guide decision making about what is right and wrong To help with difficult and complex problems

4. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.4 Ethics Influenced by religion, history, and collective experiences Ethical dilemmas

5. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.5 Ethics and Health Care Health care is at the heart of ethical issues Impact of technological advances Many legal and ethical issues need to be addressed

6. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.6 Professional Codes of Ethics Standards of professional conduct –Ensures high quality of care Many professional organizations have codes Codes help with difficult decisions

7. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.7 Personal Values Foundation for making decisions and guiding behavior Influenced by family, religion, education, and personal experience Establish priorities Values are not necessarily right or wrong

8. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.8 Ethics and the Law Ethics provide general principles on which laws are based Sometimes laws conflict with individual ethics Other conflicts

9. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.9 Guiding Principles of Health Care Ethics 1. Preserve life 2. Do good 3. Respect autonomy 4. Uphold justice

10. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.10 Guiding Principles of Health Care Ethics 5. Be honest 6. Be discreet 7. Keep promises 8. Do no harm

11. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.11 1. Preserve Life Life is precious All possible means should be taken to preserve it Euthanasia Organ transplants

12. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.12 2. Do Good Promoting the welfare of others is a basic duty of the health care worker Working in the best interest of patients Performing one’s job without expectation of receiving anything extra

13. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.13 3. Respect Autonomy Self-determination –Patients have the right to make their own decisions Patients and their choice of treatment Patients should be involved in their own care

14. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.14 Consent Grants permission Informed consent Battery Assault Implied consent Express consent

15. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.15 Consent Invasive procedures Adult defined Emancipated minors False imprisonment

16. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.16 Advance Directives What are advanced directives? –Living will –Durable power of attorney for health care –Patient Self-Determination Act

17. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.17 4. Uphold Justice Justice refers to fairness Reporting abuse Laws that protect

18. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.18 5. Be Honest Good health care relies on honesty Patient’s trust is important Truth-telling is not always easy Fraud

19. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.19 6. Be Discreet Preserve confidence and respect privacy Confidentiality Defamation of character Libel Slander

20. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.20 7. Keep Promises Promises are an important part of our relationships with others Contracts –Offer –Acceptance –Consideration

21. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.21 7. Keep Promises Breach of contract Implied contracts Express contract Agent Respondent superior? Damages

22. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.22 8. Do No Harm Essential responsibility of health care workers Harm can result from negligence Malpractice Good Samaritan Laws

23. Copyright © 2007 by Thomson Delmar Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.23 Handling Ethical Dilemmas Well-being of patient is priority Accepting responsibility for making difficult decisions is part of health care work Facing ethical difficulties –Who decides?