Advocacy Paper: Protecting Patient Rights And Ethical Practi
Advocacy Paper: Protecting Patient Rights and Ethical Practice in Nursing
Describe a patient-care situation in which the RN should intervene and advocate for the patient. An example of such a situation might be when a patient has not been given complete informed consent. Include the following in your paper: · Describe the clinical situation concisely and descriptively. It can be an actual situation or a hypothetical one. · Apply the Bioethical Decision Making Model to the specific clinical ethical situation that you choose. Address each section of the model in your paper. · Conclude with a discussion of nursing advocacy in the clinical setting and the nurse’s role as a patient advocate. Your paper should be 4-5 pages. You must reference and cite 1-2 scholarly sources other than your text. Include a title page and a reference page to cite your text and adhere to APA formatting. Review the rubric for further information on how your assignment will be graded.
Paper For Above instruction
The role of registered nurses (RNs) as patient advocates is a critical component of ethical nursing practice, especially in complex clinical situations where patient rights and autonomy may be challenged. One such scenario involves a patient who was scheduled for a surgical procedure but was not fully informed about the risks, alternatives, and potential outcomes due to inadequate communication by the healthcare team. This situation exemplifies a breach in the principle of informed consent, which is fundamental to respecting patient autonomy and ensuring ethical care.
Clinical Situation Description
In this hypothetical case, a 58-year-old male patient was scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to treat symptomatic gallstones. Prior to the procedure, the patient was expected to sign an informed consent form. However, the nurse noticed that the patient appeared anxious and hesitant during preoperative preparations. Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that the patient had not been adequately informed about the potential risks, such as bleeding, infection, or the possibility of conversion to open surgery, nor about alternative treatment options like medication management or lithotripsy. The nurse recognized that the patient’s right to make an informed decision was compromised due to insufficient information and potentially incomplete consent.
Application of the Bioethical Decision Making Model
1. Ethical Issue Identification
The primary ethical issue revolves around violation of the patient’s autonomy and right to informed consent. The nurse must determine whether adequate information was provided and if the patient is capable of making an informed decision.
2. Collecting Relevant Information
This involves gathering facts about the patient's medical condition, the procedure, the information provided to the patient, and the communication process. It also includes understanding institutional policies on informed consent and legal requirements.
3. Ethical Principles and Values
The key principles at stake include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Respecting the patient’s autonomy entails ensuring that the patient receives comprehensive information to voluntarily consent to or refuse the procedure.
4. Alternative Courses of Action
Potential actions include informing the patient about the omitted details, involving the healthcare team to clarify misconceptions, or advocating for a delay in surgery until proper informed consent is obtained.
5. Making a Decision and Justification
The nurse should advocate for re-education of the patient regarding the procedure, ensuring that informed consent is valid. This aligns with ethical standards and legal mandates, upholding the patient’s rights.
6. Implementation of the Decision
The nurse communicates with the healthcare providers to ensure that the patient's concerns are addressed and that consent is obtained appropriately. The nurse also provides emotional support to the patient during this process.
The Nurse’s Role in Advocacy
In this scenario, the nurse serves as a vital advocate by prioritizing the patient’s rights and ensuring ethical standards are maintained. Advocacy involves not only reporting concerns but actively engaging in patient education, verifying understanding, and ensuring that consent is truly informed. Nurses should be vigilant about recognizing when patients are vulnerable or inadequately informed, and they must communicate effectively with the entire healthcare team to rectify such issues.
Conclusion
The nurse’s role as a patient advocate extends beyond individual interactions; it encompasses safeguarding ethical principles and promoting a culture of respect and trust within healthcare settings. Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical clinical practice, and nurses play an essential part in ensuring that patients' rights are protected through active advocacy, education, and communication. Upholding these responsibilities not only enhances patient safety and satisfaction but also fosters professional integrity and trust in the nurse-patient relationship.
References
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- Jonsen, A. R., Siegler, M., & Winslade, W. J. (2015). Clinical Ethics: A Practical Approach to Ethical Decisions in Clinical Medicine (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
- Kalaitzidis, E., & Jewell, T. (2019). Ethical principles and nursing practice. Nursing Ethics, 26(6), 1930–1938.
- Stamford, C. (2020). Respecting patient autonomy through effective communication. British Journal of Nursing, 29(14), 868-872.
- Tronto, J. C. (2013). Caring democracy: Markets, equality, and justice. New York University Press.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2018). Informed consent: What it is & why it is important. Office for Human Research Protections.
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