Refer To Chapter 13, Page 557 Mini Case With Respect To ✓ Solved

Refer to chapter 13 page 557 MINI CASE with respect to "Suppose

Refer to chapter 13 page 557 MINI CASE with respect to "Suppose you decide (as did Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg) to start..." Respond to all questions from "a to k." State question and then response, state question and response, etc. Your assignment will be scanned for plagiarism. Must have a cover page, reference page and must be in APA Format.

You are working in the Emergency Department (ED) when a mother brings her son, Alex, in with a large jagged laceration on his leg. Alex was playing outside when he tripped and knocked a gardening hoe that hit his leg. The hoe was dirty. You anticipate a short wait. The bleeding is under control. You call the family physician as per your facility’s practice. You prepare to admit Alex while waiting for the physician.

Questions to address include:

1. When and why would you choose to intervene regarding a potentially impaired physician?
2. Would you report a colleague you suspect of being impaired? Would you follow through?
3. To whom would you make your report if you would report a colleague?
4. Does your state’s department of professional regulation publish a list of nursing or physician licenses disciplined for substance abuse? Provide your state and the reporting period.
5. Does your state offer a program for addiction recovery for health professionals?
6. Select an ethical principle and apply it to the issue of reporting or not reporting a physician.

Paper For Above Instructions

The scenario presented illustrates a critical incident in the emergency department involving a young patient, Alex, who has sustained an injury while playing outside. His injury raises not only clinical considerations but also ethical questions surrounding the behavior of the attending physician, particularly regarding drug or alcohol impairment.

Intervention Decision

In evaluating whether to intervene when a physician may be impaired, it is crucial to consider the safety and welfare of the patient first. If I suspect that the physician is demonstrating impaired cognition or decision-making abilities, such as repeating questions multiple times or displaying erratic behavior, I would intervene immediately. Intervening would involve discreetly discussing my concerns with a more senior staff member or the head nurse, who could then address the issue appropriately. This approach ensures that patient care is not compromised while also respecting the physician's dignity.

Reporting a Colleague

When considering whether I would report a colleague suspected of impairment, my first instinct is to answer 'yes'; however, the real dilemma lies in the follow-through. Reporting such suspicions can carry significant personal and professional ramifications for the individual involved. Nevertheless, if it comes to the safety of the patients in my care, I would follow through with the report. If I did report, I would communicate my observations to a supervisor or the internal protocols set by the facility that handles these concerns, as maintaining patient safety must always be the priority.

Reporting Mechanisms

To whom I would report if I admitted my suspicion? I would report it to the clinical supervisor or the department leader, as they are trained to handle such situations and can take the necessary actions following the facility's protocols. This structured approach not only assists with the immediate concerns but may also offer the physician the help they may require.

State Regulations

In terms of state regulations on impaired healthcare providers, most states maintain a database related to professional misconduct. For instance, in Illinois, the Department of Professional Regulation publishes data quarterly on any nursing or physician licenses that were disciplined for substance abuse or drug diversion. This allows for monitoring and potentially addressing issues before they escalate and become critical.

Addiction Recovery Programs

Furthermore, many states, including Illinois, have programs specifically designed to assist healthcare professionals dealing with addiction issues. These programs generally focus on rehabilitation and recovery, with the goal of safely returning these professionals to practice once they've achieved sobriety and compliance with treatment protocols.

Ethical Principle Application

Applying the ethical principle of "nonmaleficence," which emphasizes the obligation to not inflict harm intentionally, becomes vital in this context. If reporting a physician leads to temporary removal from duty, this would undeniably cause immediate distress and potential harm to their career. However, allowing an impaired physician to continue practicing poses a direct risk to patient safety, which is a far greater harm. Therefore, adherence to the principle of nonmaleficence demands a careful analysis of the situation to protect patients while also considering the affected healthcare provider's well-being.

Conclusion

The responsibility of healthcare professionals extends beyond clinical care; it encompasses the moral obligation to ensure that every patient receives safe and competent care. The decision to report a colleague requires a thorough understanding of the implications, the potential for recovery programs, and a commitment to ethical principles that prioritize patient safety while also recognizing the complexity of human struggles in the healthcare profession.

References

• American Nurses Association. (2020). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements.
• Gabbard, G. O. (2016). Professional boundaries in the physician-patient relationship. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(11), 1124-1125.
• Hamric, A. B., & Hanson, C. M. (2018). Advance Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach. Elsevier.
• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. (2023). Professional Regulation and Reporting.
• Institute of Medicine. (2004). Keeping Patients Safe: Transforming the Work Environment of Nurses. National Academies Press.
• Lewis, J. S., & Gorton, J. D. (2016). The Consequences of Alcohol Impairment in Emergency Medicine. Journal of Emergency Medicine, 50(2), 293-295.
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2019). Substance Use Disorder in Nursing.
• Owens, D. (2017). Impaired Providers: Ethical Considerations in Nursing and Medicine. Nursing Ethics, 24(5), 564-577.
• Smith, B. G., & Stroup, A. (2015). Alcohol and Drug Use in the Healthcare Professions. Journal of Healthcare Management, 60(3), 179-192.
• Tarzwell, R. (2019). The Impact of Physician Impairment on Patient Safety. American Journal of Medicine, 132(9), 1008-1010.