Is patient autonomy relevant in this situation

Assignment Help Other Subject

Reference no: EM133618571

Assignment.

In healthcare, we are faced with ethical decisions every day. This case study demonstrates an ethical dilemma.

Bob is a 48-year-old man and up until now, he has been in good shape and healthy. Bob is brought to the emergency department of Mares Medical Center, arriving incapacitated, elevated temperature, and hypotensive, with abnormal labs, showing evidence of renal failure. Bob has meningitis and his condition is grave without intensive care treatment. Treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will offer Bob the opportunity to make a full recovery but without it he is almost certain to die.

Unfortunately, the ICU at Mares Medical is full, with some of the patients being critically ill and some being in relatively stable condition but still requiring intensive care treatment for optimal care. As healthcare providers, it is recognized that evidence shows if a patient is moved too early from intensive care treatment there is a potential increase in patient complications and mortality.

The ED provider is told that there is an available bed in an ICU at a neighboring hospital, which is fifty miles away. The ED provider knows that Bob may not make the 50-mile transport, and therefore is faced with the decision, should Bob be moved to the neighboring hospital, or should a patient, who is already in Mares ICU, be transferred to the step-down unit to allow Bob admission to the Mares ICU floor.

Keeping in mind that it is not possible to provide the best care to both patients, answer the following questions. (be sure to support your answers with at least 2 EB resources).

As the decision maker, how should this case be approached?
What are at least 2 (or more) ethical principles that are used in the decision-making process as a healthcare professional?
Is patient autonomy relevant in this situation?
Does the healthcare team owe an equal duty of care to both patients?
If each patient is owed the same duty of care, should the goal be to maximize the chance that both patients live, or minimize the chance that both patients die?
In contrast, should the sickest patient be given any greater priority in receiving the best possible care?
If the current patient in Mares Medical ICU is owed a greater duty of care, is this sufficient to justify the decision not to admit Bob, given the foreseeable probable outcome?
In state Healthcare Laws does the right to 'Access of Care' mean 'Best Care'?

Reference no: EM133618571

Questions Cloud

Explain the infection cycle : Explain the infection cycle. How can you prevent the spread of infection in a medical office? During procedures? How can you educate patients against the spread

Which outcome is most important for the nurse to address : occurred one month agoIn assessing the client's progress toward goal achievement, which outcome is most important for the nurse to address

How much time should the extremity be immobilized : How much time should the extremity be immobilized and have a pressure dressing in place prior to discharge from the post anesthesia care unit?

What will be the diagnosis : No type of fever or chills just pain in abdominal and back pain and strong sharp pain when peeing and notice blood in urine. What will be the diagnosis

Is patient autonomy relevant in this situation : What are at least 2 (or more) ethical principles that are used in the decision-making process as a healthcare professional? Is patient autonomy relevant in this

Difference between prejudice and racism : In what sense may white people be said to benefit from white privilege or conferred dominance? Explain.is a difference between prejudice and racism.

What are priority nursing interventions when caring : What are priority nursing interventions when caring for a client receiving oxytocin for labor induction?

How many daily calories would the nurse recommend : How many daily calories would the nurse recommend if the toddler requires 90 Kcal/kg? Provide an answer rounded up to the next whole number

List here the possible solutions to the major problem : List here the possible solutions to the major problem. Let your imagination come up with alternative ways to solve the problem.

User Account

All Pages