Competency Analyze Ethical And Legal Dilemmas In Healthcare
Competencyanalyze Ethical And Legal Dilemmas That Healthcare Workers M
Analyze ethical and legal dilemmas that healthcare workers may encounter in the medical field.
You have recently been promoted to Health Services Manager at Three Mountains Regional Hospital, a small hospital located in a mid-size city in the Midwest. Three Mountains is a general medical and surgical facility with 400 beds. Last year there were approximately 62,000 emergency visits and 15,000 admissions. More than 6,000 outpatient and 10,000 inpatient surgeries were performed.
An important aspect of the provider/patient relationship pertains to open communication and trust. Patients want to know that their doctors and the support staff associated with their care understand their wishes and will abide by them. Ideally, these conversations happen well before an emergency or procedure takes place; however, often times this information is missing from a patient's file. As part of Three Mountains' initiative to build trust with their patients, an increased emphasis has been placed on obtaining living wills from the patient as part of the intake process to ensure that the healthcare team has written directives of the patient's wishes in case of incapacitation.
You will be creating a living will for a patient and provide educational information as to why the patient should fill it out during the admission process before a procedure.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
A living will is a vital legal document that allows individuals to communicate their preferences regarding medical treatments in the event they become incapacitated and unable to make decisions for themselves. It serves as a guide for healthcare providers and family members to understand the patient's wishes concerning life-sustaining treatments, thereby ensuring that the patient's autonomy and dignity are preserved even during critical health situations (California Medical Association, 2020). The key components of a living will typically include directives on resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition and hydration, organ and tissue donation, and comfort care measures. It is a personal document that reflects individual values and preferences, facilitating ethical decision-making in complex healthcare scenarios.
Living Will Template
Living Will of [Patient Name]
I, [Patient Name], being of sound mind, declare this to be my living will, which reflects my choices regarding medical treatment should I become unable to communicate my preferences in the future.
- Resuscitation (DNR): I do or do not wish to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if my heart or breathing stops.
- Mechanical Ventilation: I do or do not wish to receive mechanical ventilation to assist breathing if I am unable to breathe on my own.
- Artificial Nutrition and Hydration: I do or do not wish to receive feeding tubes or IV fluids if I am unable to eat or drink.
- Organ and Tissue Donation: I consent or do not consent to donate my organs and tissues for transplantation or research purposes after my death.
- Comfort Care: I wish to receive or decline pain management and comfort measures to alleviate suffering, even if such care may hasten my death.
Instructions for Alteration:
This document can be customized to reflect your specific preferences. Please indicate your choices clearly by initialing or checking the appropriate boxes, and ensure you discuss your decisions with your healthcare provider and loved ones. It is recommended to review and update this living will regularly, especially after significant health changes or life events.
Summary
The completion of a living will is a crucial step in honoring patient autonomy and ensuring that healthcare providers are aware of the individual’s wishes regarding end-of-life care. This document alleviates the burden on family members and reduces potential conflicts during stressful times by providing clear directives. Having a living will promotes open communication between patients and their healthcare team, fostering trust and respect for personal values.
Encouraging patients to fill out and carry their living wills during hospital admission ensures that their healthcare choices are known, documented, and accessible when needed most. This proactive approach not only respects the patient’s rights but also supports ethical medical practice by aligning treatment with the individual's preferences, thereby enhancing patient satisfaction and reducing ethical dilemmas faced by clinical staff.
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