Nursing Ethics Research Paper
Ethics Paper
Christina Noto
Arizona State University Ethics Paper
Nurses should be concerned about values and laws that pertain to patients. There should be concern for those patients that are homeless without insurance and not receiving the care that they should because it goes against the ethical principle beneficence, to remove and do no harm. Beneficence, is one of the primary ethical principles that guides us to do good for our patients (Epstein & Ward, 2016). Ethical principles provide the foundation for nurses and the duties that they perform (Epstein & Ward, 2016). The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) in 1986, allows patients to be treated in emergency situations regardless of their means to pay (Dunford, …show more content…
Moral distress, has two parts, the first happens when you know what ethical responsibilities should be done but cannot because of restrictions within the work environment (Epstein & Ward, 2016). An example of this would be when your supervisor tells you to discharge a homeless man because the tests say that he is fine, but you know overall he could use help with basic food, shelter and water. The second part to moral distress is called moral residue. Moral residue happens after a situation has passed and can last for years with vivid memories of the complex situation that can leave one frustrated and angry when they cannot provide the patient with optimal care (Epstein & Ward, …show more content…
It was originally designed to prevent hospitals from turning away patients due to their ability to pay (American College of Emergency Physicians, 2014). Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) of 1986, states that in section (h) that there should be no delay in treatment if the patient can pay or not. The definition used for the term “emergency medical condition” includes serious dysfunction and serious impairment (EMTALA, 1986). The determination by the hospital on who will pay for the care and how will the hospital survive if they treat patients who cannot pay, should also not be a factor if they get the care that they need. Also, regardless if the patient is a frequent flyer, this should not be factor in suboptimal
Christina Noto
Arizona State University Ethics Paper
Nurses should be concerned about values and laws that pertain to patients. There should be concern for those patients that are homeless without insurance and not receiving the care that they should because it goes against the ethical principle beneficence, to remove and do no harm. Beneficence, is one of the primary ethical principles that guides us to do good for our patients (Epstein & Ward, 2016). Ethical principles provide the foundation for nurses and the duties that they perform (Epstein & Ward, 2016). The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) in 1986, allows patients to be treated in emergency situations regardless of their means to pay (Dunford, …show more content…
Moral distress, has two parts, the first happens when you know what ethical responsibilities should be done but cannot because of restrictions within the work environment (Epstein & Ward, 2016). An example of this would be when your supervisor tells you to discharge a homeless man because the tests say that he is fine, but you know overall he could use help with basic food, shelter and water. The second part to moral distress is called moral residue. Moral residue happens after a situation has passed and can last for years with vivid memories of the complex situation that can leave one frustrated and angry when they cannot provide the patient with optimal care (Epstein & Ward, …show more content…
It was originally designed to prevent hospitals from turning away patients due to their ability to pay (American College of Emergency Physicians, 2014). Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) of 1986, states that in section (h) that there should be no delay in treatment if the patient can pay or not. The definition used for the term “emergency medical condition” includes serious dysfunction and serious impairment (EMTALA, 1986). The determination by the hospital on who will pay for the care and how will the hospital survive if they treat patients who cannot pay, should also not be a factor if they get the care that they need. Also, regardless if the patient is a frequent flyer, this should not be factor in suboptimal