Unit 5 Assignment - Kaplan University School Of Health Scien

Unit 5 Assignmentkaplan University School Of Health Sciencesha405 Assi

In this assignment, you will discuss two healthcare issues facing healthcare administrators and evaluate how to handle each situation ethically and effectively. You are required to analyze the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: You are the healthcare administrator of a nursing home. A new resident with memory impairment has been admitted, and family members have expressed concerns about do not resuscitate (DNR) orders authorized by a different family member’s Power of Attorney. A quarrel erupts among the family members, and a visiting family member, claiming to be a supervisor for the Department of Health and Human Services, threatens to have the facility surveyed for non-compliance.

Scenario 2: As the administrator of a for-profit healthcare clinic, you are informed that a 15-year-old patient needs prenatal care and wishes to keep the pregnancy secret from her parents. The minor is covered by her parents’ insurance, and she cannot afford private payment. You must decide how to proceed ethically and legally in this situation.

Paper For Above instruction

In this paper, I will analyze the ethical considerations and practical strategies for managing the two scenarios faced by healthcare administrators, emphasizing the importance of legal compliance, ethical standards, and effective communication.

Scenario 1: Managing Family Disputes in a Nursing Home

The situation involving conflicting family members over a resident’s DNR orders presents a complex ethical challenge grounded in respecting patient autonomy while managing family dynamics. The primary strength in handling this scenario lies in upholding the resident’s rights and ensuring informed decision-making, which aligns with ethical principles like autonomy and beneficence. As the administrator, it is crucial to ensure that decisions about end-of-life care are made based on the resident’s documented wishes, as outlined in advance directives or the applicable legal framework.

Effective communication is paramount. The administrator should calmly intervene to de-escalate the quarrel and clarify legal standing regarding DNR orders. Since the DNR was authorized by a Power of Attorney (POA), the family’s role is to respect the resident’s documented wishes. Engaging the facility’s legal counsel and adhering to state-specific laws regarding DNR orders and POA is necessary. Listening transparently to family concerns and providing clear explanations about legal and ethical obligations can help to foster trust and reduce conflict.

The threat posed by the visiting family member claiming to be a supervisor warrants a strategic response. The administrator should acknowledge their authority, remind the family of the facility’s commitment to patient rights and legal compliance, and politely but firmly state that the facility will operate within the law. It is essential to document the incident and, if necessary, involve institutional legal counsel to verify how to proceed without escalating the situation further. In such situations, maintaining professionalism and calmness demonstrates the facility’s commitment to ethical practices and legal compliance.

Furthermore, staff training in conflict resolution, understanding legal directives, and ethical principles can empower staff to handle similar encounters effectively. Cultivating a culture of respect and open communication can preempt future conflicts and ensure that residents’ rights are prioritized, respecting both ethical standards and legal obligations.

Scenario 2: Ethical and Legal Considerations for Minor Pregnant Patients

The case involving a minor seeking prenatal care without parental consent raises critical ethical questions around confidentiality, minors’ rights, and parental involvement. Legally, minors’ rights to confidential healthcare vary by jurisdiction; however, many regions provide minors access to reproductive health services without parental consent, recognizing their autonomy and the importance of accessible care.

From an ethical perspective, respecting the minor’s confidentiality is essential to fostering trust and ensuring access to necessary health services. Denying care or disclosing information against her wishes could deter her from seeking prenatal services altogether, resulting in adverse health outcomes for both mother and child. Therefore, the clinician’s duty is to provide comprehensive, compassionate care while adhering to legal mandates.

Practically, the healthcare administrator should establish clear policies aligning with state laws regarding minors’ rights to confidential reproductive health services. Ensuring staff are trained to handle such situations discreetly and respectfully while documenting the minor’s consent and understanding of her rights is crucial. The healthcare clinic must also verify that the minor’s insurance coverage can be used without disclosing details to the parents unless specific conditions necessitate it, such as situations involving abuse or mandated reporting laws.

Ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, and confidentiality guide this scenario. Respecting the minor’s autonomy supports her dignity and trust in healthcare providers, which is vital for ongoing care. Healthcare providers should also educate minors about their rights, empowering them to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

In handling this case, the administrator must balance legal requirements, ethical principles, and practical considerations, including confidentiality and equitable access to care. Establishing clear protocols for minors’ care and training staff accordingly can enable the clinic to manage such sensitive situations ethically and effectively.

Conclusion

Healthcare administrators face complex scenarios that require balancing legal compliance, ethical standards, and effective communication. In the first scenario, respecting the resident’s advance directives and managing family disputes professionally helps uphold patient rights. Addressing threats professionally and involving legal counsel protects both the facility and its residents. In the second scenario, safeguarding minors’ confidentiality and ensuring access to reproductive health services require adherence to legal statutes and ethical principles like autonomy and beneficence. Developing clear policies, staff training, and open communication are essential to navigate these challenges successfully, ensuring ethical integrity and quality care in healthcare settings.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• American Medical Association. (2020). Code of Medical Ethics. AMA Press.
• Gordon, M., & Hafferty, F. W. (2018). Ethically Managing Family Conflicts in Healthcare. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(5), 324-328.
• Hansson, S. O. (2016). Ethical Aspects of End-of-Life Decisions. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 19(4), 501-508.
• Jones, E. T., & Williams, S. (2020). Confidentiality and Minor Patients: Legal and Ethical Perspectives. Pediatrics, 145(3), e20195468.
• Leege, B. (2017). Managing Healthcare Disputes: Legal and Ethical Strategies. Healthcare Law Journal, 12(2), 102-112.
• Reamer, F. G. (2018). Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare Administration. Journal of Healthcare Management, 63(2), 118-129.
• Schneider, C., & Clark, P. (2019). The Role of Legislation in Minor Reproductive Rights. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 47(2), 216-225.
• Siegel, J. (2017). Ethical Frameworks for End-of-Life Decision-Making. Bioethics, 31(7), 503-510.
• Thompson, M. (2021). Confidentiality and Consent in Adolescent Healthcare. Journal of Pediatrics, 227, 234-238.