Individual Case Reports: Jack Alcineusd

Individual Case Report1individual Case Report3jack Alcineusdr Mar

Should the medical assistant have clarified the physician's order prior to the patient's arrival? The medical assistant should have clarified the order before the patient’s arrival due to several reasons. Clarifying orders in advance is crucial to prevent patient discomfort and reduce suffering, particularly as many patients are critically ill and require immediate attention. Ensuring that orders are clear helps in avoiding delays that could potentially be life-threatening, thus improving patient outcomes.

Furthermore, clarifying physician orders before patient visits enhances the efficiency of healthcare delivery. It allows physicians and support staff to better plan and allocate appropriate time for diagnostics and consultations. This proactive approach facilitates a smoother workflow, reduces wait times, and supports the hospital’s mission to provide accessible and timely healthcare for all (Dahlkemper & Anderson, 2013). Additionally, clear communication fosters trust and cooperation among the healthcare team, which ultimately benefits patient care and promotes a positive rapport between patients and providers.

Considering the scenario where Carol might be the patient, her reactions to the lack of clarification could include anger due to pain and frustration from not receiving timely care. She might feel distressed, especially if she is in severe discomfort and perceives neglect from the hospital staff. If she were the spouse, parent, or child of the patient, she could experience feelings of guilt or guilt-related sadness, questioning whether her loved one received adequate care. Such emotional responses are understandable in high-stress situations where a loved one's health and safety are at stake.

From an ethical perspective, several issues arise. Access to healthcare for all remains a fundamental concern; delays in service delivery compromise this principle. Negligence and malpractice, as pointed out by the State Board of Dental Examiners (2015), are pressing laws and ethical issues, especially when medical staff fail to verify orders or check prescriptions, risking serious health consequences or fatalities.

Patient confidentiality is another vital ethical concern. Medical personnel are ethically bound to protect patient information, and breaches can damage patient trust and hope in the healthcare system. Ensuring strict confidentiality enhances patient privacy and supports the ethical principle of respecting patient autonomy.

To address these issues and improve healthcare standards, several actions can be implemented. If I were a member of the governing body observing such incidents, I would prioritize institutional stewardship by intervening to facilitate timely access to medical services, advocate for comprehensive staff training, and emphasize the importance of compassionate care. Establishing an integrated electronic health record (EHR) system would enhance real-time access to patient orders and histories, reducing errors and delays (Kellermann & Jones, 2013).

Moreover, I would promote staff accountability, including disciplinary actions for negligent or reckless behavior that jeopardizes patient safety. Creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement would involve regular audits, feedback mechanisms, and ongoing education about legal and ethical standards in healthcare. Emphasizing compassionate interaction—respect, kindness, and empathy—remains essential to restoring trust and ensuring a patient-centered approach (Pozgar, 2014).

In conclusion, clarifying physician orders prior to patient visits is ethically and practically essential. It not only improves clinical efficiency but also safeguards patient well-being and upholds the moral responsibilities of healthcare providers. Addressing systemic issues through technology, accountability, and ethical vigilance is vital for enhancing healthcare quality and fostering public trust.

References

• Dahlkemper, T., & Anderson, M. (2013). Anderson's nursing leadership, management, and professional practice for the LPN/LVN in nursing school and beyond. F.A. Davis.
• Kellermann, A. L., & Jones, S. S. (2013). What it will take to achieve the as-yet-unfulfilled promises of health information technology. Health Affairs, 32(1), 63–68. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2012.1103
• Pozgar, G. (2014). Legal and ethical issues for health professionals (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• State Board of Dental Examiners v. FTC, 135 S. Ct. 1101, 574 U.S. 1236, 191 L. Ed. 2d (2015).
• American Medical Association. (2016). Ethical considerations in patient care. AMA Journal of Ethics, 18(2), 177–181.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Levine, D. M., et al. (2019). Health care ethics & professional issues. Elsevier.
• Thompson, B. (2014). The importance of confidentiality in healthcare. Journal of Medical Ethics, 40(4), 257–259.
• Wagner, K. D., et al. (2012). Electronic health records and patient safety. American Journal of Medicine, 125(4), 385–386.
• World Health Organization. (2019). Ethical principles in health care. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/ethics/en/