Case Study A: Identify An Actual Ethical Hospital Case

Case Study a. Identify an actual ethical case at a hospital which includes ethical considerations

Identify an actual ethical case at a hospital which includes ethical considerations. The case may involve nurses, doctors, medical technicians, CEOs, etc. The issue should not be a case already used in class. The assignment involves explaining the ethical issue, researching background information from reputable sources, including past philosophical treatments, legal and professional considerations, and expert opinions, and then applying ethical analysis. Complete an ethics worksheet, decide how you would have handled the case, and support your decision with a clear written defense. The paper should be approximately 1000 words, include at least four scholarly sources, and follow a structured format with introduction, body, and conclusion. Proper citation in APA style is required.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Hospitals operate within complex ethical landscapes involving patient rights, professional responsibilities, legal boundaries, and organizational policies. An illustrative case involves a hospital nurse faced with deciding whether to disclose a medical error that resulted in harm to a patient. This ethical dilemma encapsulates issues of honesty, patient safety, professional integrity, and the potential consequences on hospital reputation and legal standing. Understanding such cases necessitates examining philosophical ethics, legal statutes, professional codes such as the ANA Code of Ethics, and insights from healthcare experts.

Case Description and Ethical Issue

The case centers on a registered nurse, Samantha, working in a major metropolitan hospital. During a routine procedure, she administers an incorrect medication dosage to a patient due to a labeling error. The patient begins experiencing adverse effects. Samantha faces a critical decision: should she immediately inform the attending physician and the patient, risking potential legal repercussions and hospital sanctions, or cover up the mistake in hopes of avoiding blame and maintaining organizational stability? The core ethical issue involves truth-telling versus potential harm caused by withholding information.

Background and Ethical Considerations

Philosophers such as Kant emphasized duty and honesty as foundational ethical principles (Kant, 1785), suggesting that truth-telling is an absolute moral obligation. Conversely, utilitarian perspectives consider the consequences—if disclosing a mistake might cause undue distress or legal issues but also allows for corrective measures, the outcome’s overall benefit or harm is evaluated (Mill, 1863). In healthcare, professional organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) underscore duties of honesty, transparency, and safeguarding patient safety (ANA, 2015). Legally, the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (2005) encourages error reporting, emphasizing transparency, but hospitals often fear litigation and reputational damage (Griffith & Tancock, 2019).

Expert opinions vary. Some argue that disclosure aligns with moral integrity and professionalism, fostering trust and safety (Shanafelt et al., 2017). Others warn of disciplinary or legal actions, calling for protective policies that balance transparency with accountability (Peay & Erlen, 2018). Past philosophical debates have grappled with whether lying can be justified to prevent harm; most modern healthcare ethics advocate honesty but recognize contextual complexities.

Ethics Worksheet Application and Personal Handling

Applying the ethics worksheet, the primary ethical problem is whether to disclose the medication error, considering duties of honesty and the potential consequences. Key facts include the medication error, the patient’s adverse reaction, and institutional policies. External factors involve legal implications and hospital reputation, while internal factors include the nurse’s professional integrity and possible fear of punishment. Stakeholders encompass the patient, family, medical team, hospital administration, and the nurse herself.

Potential harms involve patient distress, loss of trust, legal liability, and organizational sanctions. Rules and codes, like the ANA Code of Ethics, emphasize truthfulness but also advocate for nonmaleficence—avoiding harm. Ethical support lies in transparency and accountability, aligned with deontological principles. Utilitarian analysis favors disclosure if it leads to better patient outcomes, learning, and future safety improvements.

Given these considerations, I would advocate for full disclosure, including informing the patient promptly and documenting the event transparently. This approach aligns with ethical guidelines promoting honesty, patient safety, and professional integrity, despite potential risks. Implementing institutional support policies would further mitigate negative repercussions and foster a culture of safety.

Conclusion

The ethical dilemma of disclosing medical errors highlights the importance of honesty, transparency, and balancing harm mitigation against accountability. In healthcare, fostering a culture that encourages disclosure and continuous improvement aligns with both professional standards and ethical philosophy. Personal commitment to transparency, supported by institutional policies, is essential in promoting trust and safety in patient care.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements.
• Griffith, R., & Tancock, S. (2019). Error reporting and transparency in healthcare. Journal of Healthcare Ethics, 12(3), 45-55.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism.
• Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act, 42 U.S.C. § 299b-21 (2005).
• Peay, H. L., & Erlen, J. A. (2018). Ethical considerations in error disclosure. Nursing Ethics, 25(7-8), 1033–1044.
• Shanafelt, T., et al. (2017). The importance of transparency in healthcare. Annals of Internal Medicine, 167(3), 211–213.