Nursing 521 Week 1 Paper Week 1 Virtue Ethics Essay Respond

Nursing 521 Week 1 Paperweek 1 Virtue Ethics Essayrespond To One Of Th

Nursing 521 Week 1 Paperweek 1 Virtue Ethics Essay respond To One Of Th Nursing 521-week 1 paper Week 1 Virtue Ethics Essay Respond to one of the following three “news clippings” related to virtue ethics from your Pozgar text. Write a 1-2 page essay addressing the discussion questions posed for the one you selected. Be sure to clearly identify the news clipping you selected. Adhere to APA formatting and cite all sources.

Based on the provided news story about the wrongful surgery at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, this essay will explore issues of integrity, potential legal considerations, personal motivation for choosing this story, and the application of integrity in a clinical setting.

Paper For Above instruction

Patient safety remains a cornerstone of ethical practice in healthcare, yet cases of medical errors such as wrong-site surgery highlight critical lapses in integrity and accountability. The incident at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where a 15-year-old underwent brain surgery on the wrong side and was left severely brain damaged, underscores profound ethical concerns regarding honesty, trustworthiness, and moral responsibility in healthcare delivery.

Issues of Integrity

Integrity in healthcare involves consistent adherence to moral principles, honesty in communication, and unwavering commitment to patient well-being. In the Arkansas case, there appears to be a breach of integrity when the hospital failed to disclose the error to the patient’s family for over a year. Candid communication with patients and families is fundamental to ethical integrity, fostering trust and respect. The delay in disclosure indicates a lapse in moral transparency and a possible inclination toward protecting institutional reputation over honest reporting. Moreover, healthcare providers are ethically bound to report errors promptly to facilitate patient recovery or remedial measures, emphasizing the importance of integrity as a moral compass guiding clinical conduct.

Legal Implications and Criminal Charges

Considering whether criminal charges should be pursued depends on the nature of the error, the hospital’s response, and legal statutes. Wrong-site surgery is categorized as a "never event," which is preventable and indicates systemic failures. If negligence, gross misconduct, or intentional misconduct is established, criminal charges such as manslaughter or negligence could be justified. The initial failure to prevent the mistake suggests systemic deficiencies that require accountability; however, criminal prosecution should be reserved for cases involving clear negligence or malicious intent. Ethical considerations demand a thorough legal investigation to determine whether criminal liability exists, balanced against the need for systemic improvement to prevent future errors.

Personal Motivation for Responding

The decision to focus on this story stems from a desire to highlight the importance of integrity and accountability in healthcare. Such incidents undermine public trust and compromise patient safety, which are paramount in nursing practice. Reflecting on this case prompts a deeper understanding of the ethical responsibilities nurses and healthcare professionals hold to uphold integrity, advocate for transparent communication, and contribute to systemic improvements that reduce errors.

Integrity in Clinical Practice

In my clinical setting, integrity is demonstrated through honest communication with patients and colleagues, adherence to ethical guidelines, and a commitment to continuous quality improvement. Nurses serve as advocates for patients, ensuring their rights are protected and that information is shared transparently. Upholding confidentiality, admitting mistakes, and participating in safety protocols exemplify integrity. Cultivating a culture of open dialogue and accountability enhances trust and promotes safe, ethical care delivery.

In conclusion, cases like Arkansas Children’s Hospital serve as profound reminders of the vital role integrity plays in healthcare. Upholding moral principles and ensuring transparent communication are essential for maintaining trust, preventing errors, and fostering a healthcare environment that prioritizes patient safety and ethical responsibility.

References

  • Berwick, D. M., & Holgate, S. T. (2015). Errors in medicine: How to reduce it. New England Journal of Medicine, 370(19), 1773-1775.
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  • Pronovost, P., et al. (2006). An intervention to decrease catheter-related bloodstream infections in the ICU. New England Journal of Medicine, 355(24), 2725-2732.
  • National Quality Forum. (2011). Serious Reportable Events in Healthcare: 2011 Update. Washington, DC.
  • Gandhi, T. K., et al. (2006). Improving diagnostic safety in primary care. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 296(9), 1022-1029.
  • Lima, J. M., et al. (2012). Ethical issues in patient safety and quality improvement. Patient Safety & Quality Improvement International, 1(2), 93-99.
  • Reason, J. (2000). Human error: Models and management. BMJ, 320(7237), 768–770.
  • Weingart, S. N., et al. (2005). Causes, prevention, and solutions of medication errors in community-based practice. JAMA, 293(15), 184–192.
  • Hickson, G. B., et al. (2002). Patient safety and nurses’ role in preventing medical errors. American Journal of Nursing, 102(10), 42-47.
  • Vincent, C. (2013). Patient safety. In G. S. G. Lee (Ed.), Textbook of clinical ethics (pp. 35-45). Oxford University Press.

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