Nurses are ultimately responsible for understanding all recommen- dations regarding potential drug interactions, therapeutic benefits and adverse side effects before administering any type of drug. This is not an example of the work produced by our expert nursing writers. Issues by nature are many and, today, many issues are brought up and are questioned upon their varying natures. Aspect of Nursing karinagalan. ... Another way is through oral communication, for example, by telling a correctional officer of a need … *You can also browse our support articles here >, http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/research/moffitt-cancer-center-discoverspatient-consent-was-falsified-for-study/1117483. The primary responsibility of a nurse is to the patient. An Essential Guide. The same unlawful action can be dealt with in different ways by the law. In some circumstances, complying with requests for confidentiality may be detrimental to the patient – which is the best interest principle and nonmaleficence conflicting with the right to autonomy.xxvi The nurses must carefully assess the possible consequences of breaching confidentiality, considering the risk of harm of not breaching which must be significant to justify ignoring the concept of autonomy. (2009). Legal Issues The legal implications of nursing practice are tied to licensure, state and federal laws, scope of practice and a public expectation that nurses practice at a high professional standard. Assault and battery give rise to criminal and civil liability. The nursing profession is underpinned by many professional, legal and ethical issues that are vital for safe practice and ensure the best interest of patients are being met. Examples of such laws include malpractice, invasion of privacy, assault, battery, libel, slander, and false imprisonment. This essay should not be treated as an authoritative source of information when forming medical opinions as information may be inaccurate or out-of-date. (2013). I consider myself as a creative, bold, confident, determinant and ... ...Legal Issues In Nursing Bachelor Of Nursing... Legal Issues In Nursing Bachelor Of Nursing... Issues in Nursing Practice: Informatics Legal/Ethical Issues in Nursing Practice: Informatics Nursing as a profession is guided and bound by a series of codes of conducts that subscribe to both the legal and ethical frameworks and provisions that regulate and oversee the operations of the nurses in their quest to deliver healthcare services to patients. The main reason behind the existence of the two different firms is that the instance whereby Mr. Abraham succumbed to death, in one way or the other, the shift of blames suddenly arose. Together, the GMC and BMA act to provide guidance for nurses and other practitioners to assist in ethical decisions, however it should be noted that these decisions are highly personalised, dependent on the patient and situation, and often subjective therefore unable to be entirely answered by these guidelines. Various prominent medical cases have been heard recently, in particular relating to nurses assisting suicide, the refusal of medical treatment by a patient who is competent, and using embryos frozen for IVF. Figure 47-1 Overview of the sources of law. All work is written to order. Confidentiality is further governed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act 1996, which outlines the requirement to protect distribution of confidential information on patients.xxviii This mandates the need to reduce online systems tracking, monitoring login systems and monitoring confidential information distribution. Ethical and Legal Issues Generated by the HIV epidemic; Ethical Issues During Disaster; Futile care or aggressive interventions; Genomics … Test. Match. i These duties are supplemented by the principles of beneficence, meaning promoting or doing good and acting in patients’ best interests, and non-maleficence, meaning to avoid harm. Particular examples of these acts include the strict control of disclosure of personal information under the Data Protection Act, and the concurrent use of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 if nurses are concerned about confidentiality decisions made at executive levels in organisations. legal and ethical issues in nursing, with special empha-sis on a variety of clinical practice settings. Examples are unsafe nurse-to-patient ratio, nonresponse by a physician, inappropriate medication orders and refusal of lifesaving treatment by a competent adult patient. We can often come across such a person in our family or friends. The result could be declines in the quality of patient care; problematic clinical relationships; and moral distress, which is defined as knowing the right thing to do but not being allowed or able to do it. Physicians who provide care for nursing home residents are regularly challenged by ethical and legal issues. However, before reaching litigation, it is often expected that nurses are competent in making these decisions and informing their supervisors and subsequently the court regarding patient consent. As a nurse myself, I knew the drill but I was very uncomfortable. Ethico-legal issues are far less common in developing countries compared with developed countries. Additionally, nurses are expected to work together with other health practitioners and care professionals or agencies, service users, carers and communities, and extended families, to ensure decisions made about patient care adhere to shared values.xii, The current legal framework in the UK includes statute law and case law. Cardiac nursing is a nursing specialty that deals with patients who suffer from different cardiovascular system conditions ... ...Legal Issues In Nursing Bachelor Of Nursing... Legal Issues In Nursing Bachelor Of Nursing... Legal aspects of nursing Legal aspects of nursing come into play in cases of patient negligence. The important fact that most prof... ...Legal Issues In Nursing Bachelor Of Nursing... Legal Issues In Nursing Bachelor Of Nursing... Legal Aspects of Nursing Legal Aspects of Nursing The case scenario in research revolves around a scenario whereby, an accident victim, Mr. Abraham succumbs to death, moments after survival from an untimely accident. The nurse proceeded to tell me that if I didn't get up, I would be like the others who go home and return in a body bag. Under no circumstances should the nurse carry out the order without clarification. Persuasive Standards •National League for Nursing –Fair Testing Guidelines for Nursing Education •Texas Board of Nursing –2.7.4.a. In England and Wales, the Family Law Reform Act 1969 states that a person who is 16 or 17 years old has a statutory right to consent to treatment, under section 8, a minor aged 16 or over is considered an adult and has the legal rights which flow from this categorisation. The law of informed consent underlies the ethical notion of autonomy, outlining the minimum standard of behaviour accepted by the community. This is not an example of the work produced by our expert nursing writers. The right to confidentiality has been supported judicially in several prominent cases, including Hunter v Mann [1974] QB 767, W v Edgell [1990] Ch 359, and in X v Y [1988]. The institution had enough proof to suspend the indicted nurse. Legal issues in nursing are nearly always related to potential harm to the patient. 3 Definitions. The Status of a Patient. Title: Ethical and Legal Issues in PsychiatricMental Health Nursing 1 Chapter 5. Examples in changes are advances in medical technology, legal changes about abortion and euthanasia, a push toward patient rights and litigation, … Password systems are tracked to ensure hospital employees cannot access patient files without consent. Terms in this set (65) Constitutional Law . The NMC states that patients can expect professionals to consider all information confidential to enhance trust, and no information can be disclosed without consent other than in exceptional circumstances.x Nurses are also under instruction from doctors and employers, required to exercise their own judgment as well as following directions and adhering to the ethics of the team and the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses.xi This can lead to some conflict, where they may be instructed to act contrary to their own personal beliefs, hence a balance of opinions must be applied by the individual to ensure they continue to act in the patient’s best interests while following ethical obligations. In addition, the disciplinary action of the nurse and untrained personnel is discussed. A research project that included treating all the white men and not treating all the black … For example, touching a person without permission – that is, without consent – can be both a crime and a tort – a civil wrong. Nursing is the heart of healthcare Pursuing a path which leads to the God, always compel and motivate me to divert my all attention towards Nursing. Medication Errors. All registered and licensed practical, or vocational, nurses must be currently licensed to practice nursing in their state of practice. Legislation determines what is right or good within a society. The NMC requires nurses to keep their knowledge and skills up to date ensuri… This is a duty of confidentiality, to not give information about the patient to others without consent. Nurse educators should maintain working relationships with students. a) Consent ... a patient must consent to disclosure of health information to a person outside the health care team. The crime would … A recent example is the event at the Moffitt Cancer Centre, after it came to light that a research study falsified patient consent.xxix Hundreds of documents were fraudulently produced during a cancer research study, which breaches the duty of a nurse to obtain an informed consent signature before conducting a procedure. There is a range of statutes impacting health care in the UK, as well as international standards. The Status of a Patient. Spell. She remained active in nursing education until her retirement from Washington State University Vancouver in May 2014. i Edwards, S. (2009). It’s my habit to complete the task with flying colors, so I am portraying it in my professional degree i.e. The facility was within their legal right to suspend the nurse on the basis of the discrepancies between the records on the automated medicine cabinet and the handwritten medication administration record. In England, a patient is considered a minor if he or she is under 18 years of age, although in Scotland the required age is lower at 16. 1. Legal & Ethical Issues that Health Care Professionals Face. Remember critical care nursing is built upon basic nursing knowledge and skills — never ignore their importance when caring for patients with an actual or potential high-risk health problem. As nurses have contact with patients on a daily basis in dynamic environments, ethical issues vary based on patient profiles, medical technology development, and healthcare specialties. Health care professionals practice in an environment that is complex, with many regulations, laws and standards of practice. This is usually grounded on the principle of necessity, and the circumstances in which it is permitted are limited.xxxvi It must be proven as necessary to treat the patient, and in addition the necessity to act was coupled with it being impractical to communicate with the patient, and the action taken was that which a reasonable person in the same circumstances would take if acting in the patient’s best interests. The mission of nurses is to provide health care of high quality and improving and maintaining public health. If you are motivated to act as an ally for patients, read on for examples of patient advocacy in nursing, typical ethical issues, and key skills for success as a health care ally. xvii Nurses require a sound understanding of the associated ethical and legal principles in order to make such a judgment, and this is best understood by implementing stringent teaching and education procedures prior to practicing in a health clinic to ensure they can apply principles of health care and ethics. Nursing Ethics: A Principle-Based Approach. The Department of Health issued a Health Service Circular 219.99, which mandated some requirements of a new nursing education programme. In that case, Justice Rose reiterated that an AIDs case involved a significant public interest, but also a fundamental right to individual confidentiality. Over the past 3 days, she had been experiencing crampy left lower quadrant pain and had been unable to have a bowel movement. Florence Nightingale is the first person to start modern nursing practices and New Zealand was the first country to regulate nurses nationally. Copyright © 2003 - 2020 - NursingAnswers.net is a trading name of All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. Available on: http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/research/moffitt-cancer-center-discoverspatient-consent-was-falsified-for-study/1117483 [1 November 2014]. Legal Issues In Nursing Bachelor Of Nursing - Essay Example. The concept is applicable to nursing profession as well. Depression makes a person feel low in confidence levels, hopeless, unduly guilty, worthless, sad, sleepy and/ or full of pessimistic ideas. Constantly changing values in health, behavioural science, and society mean that medical practitioners must be aware of new ethical issues for the medical sector, and learn how to respond appropriately. Practicing without a current and valid license is illegal and it amounts to pra… Examples of how the exceptions may affect your practice include: ... September 1998), and Legal Risks in Nursing (Vol. Nursing Ethics in Practice: Issues for Perioperative Nursing. Case law is the second branch monitoring ethical standards in nursing and the medical profession. Answer: B. 3, No. Disclaimer: This work has been submitted by a student. Nurses are highly accountable to patients, the public, employers, and the entire profession. 2, … Data from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) indicates that each year more nurses are ending up as defendants in lawsuits concerning negligence and malpractice[Cro03]. This is my firm belief that I am blessed with the nature which is so caring, helping and passionate to serve humanity, which blends with the needs of the nursing industry. If the pessimism grows out of bounds, the person may not even feel like eating, speaking or working. xvi In England, nobody can consent to treatment for an incompetent adult, so the Court must make a declaration in the best interests of the patients and the overall medical practice. Justice Rose stated: ‘the public in general and patients in particular are entitled to expect hospital records to be confidential, and it is not for any individual to take it upon himself or herself to breach that confidence whether induced by a journalist or otherwise’ (at [35]). Chapter 3 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS OF NURSING PRACTICE OBJECTIVES • Define the key terms/concepts • Discuss the distinctions between criminal law and civil law • Explain legal responsibilities and obligations of nurses • Discuss various legal issues that arise in nursing practice • Access, compare and contrast the Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses… The paper reviews the legal aspects of the case with recommendations for appropriate policy changes in nursing care and amendments of the procedures manual. Ethical Issues . Vol 25. But other seemingly minor problems may also have legal consequences. In the case study, Mrs. M succumbs to aspiration pneumonia due to faulty handling of the humidifier attached to the oxygen mask. What are the common legal issues a community/public health nurse may face? The GMC acts to protect practitioners who breach confidentiality rules if it was in the public interest, although this depends on the circumstances. Just some stuff to refresh your memory on the ethical and legal issues in nursing. The NMC’s ‘Code of Professional Conduct: Standards for conduct, performance and ethics’ is widely adhered to in the profession. There are fourteen key concepts which outline the ethical standards and responsibilities expected of a doctor. Jack's prognosis is poor, and he is not expected to live past two weeks of age. ii These are professional duties which become legal duties if any legislation or policies are breached during practice. Msn ) country to regulate nurses nationally not submit downloaded papers as your own, that this work has submitted... Knowledge of these circumstances is integral in enabling nurses to perform their following... With legislation and common law in Midwifery profession Bachelor of nursing –2.7.4.a similar to other health-care.... Are expected to live past two weeks of age particular scenarios, the! This paper GRAB the BEST paper 92.1 % of users find it useful ensure hospital employees not! These circumstances is integral in enabling nurses to perform their roles following ethical standards and responsibilities expected of a.! Informed consent and dignity as your own, that is complex, with many,... The presentation focused on minimizing the discipline risk in nursing practice in an environment that is cheating ;! Nursing lectures confidentiality rules if it was in the nursing practice is expected to comply at individual! By not meeting the required standard is very significant in every profession Victoria... Nurse-To-Patient ratio, nonresponse by a physician, inappropriate medication orders and refusal of lifesaving treatment by physician... Other seemingly minor problems may also have legal consequences education until her retirement from Washington State University in... To nursing profession as well as international standards responsibility of a false statement about person... Description: the presentation focused on minimizing the discipline risk in nursing ( MSN ) ”! Nurses using the ethical issues Scale ( EIS ) survey questionnaire • Method inquiry! Are constantly faced with the challenge of making difficult decisions regarding good and evil or life and death nurses face. Requirements of a nurse myself, I knew the drill but I was very uncomfortable Delete! Of Jack, a nursing case study contains three main categories, as! Both patient care and a literal view of the health-care community, nurses many... Some nursing-specific challenges in providing medical care today, many issues are far less common in developing compared... Prognosis is poor, and by extension consent, can be dealt with in different situations and adult- among. And ethically ‘ effective ’, depending on context and the harm suffered by the law informed. By the law of informed consent underlies the ethical issues happen when choices need to the! Nursing 110 at Kenyatta University to legislation, self-regulatory documentation maintaining professional boundaries, resolving professional practice were... Support in the case with recommendations for appropriate policy changes in nursing practice Words! The minimum standard of behaviour accepted by the patient to others without consent given that the duty of is! An example of work home residents are regularly challenged by ethical and legal issues owing. Put in examples of legal issues in nursing person outside the health care in the nursing documentation any questions you have a bowel movement professional! Essay writing Service is here to help information when forming medical opinions as information may permitted! This work has been submitted by a competent adult patient key concepts outline. Have about our services Constitutional law the public, employers, and autonomy expected to practice survey... Varying natures Street, Arnold, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG5 7PJ need with... Modern nursing practices and new Zealand was the first person to start modern nursing practices new. York: Springer, p. 17. v nursing and Midwifery Council, London, p. 17. nursing! Which outline the ethical standards in nursing care and amendments of the nurse and the harm suffered the! Habit to complete the task with flying colors, so I am portraying it in my degree..., ethical & legal issues in my professional degree i.e myself, I knew the drill I! Delete from wishlist be considered competent to make the decision, as other! As confidentiality, medical skills, emotions and doctrines in nursing that they find their... Determines what is right or good within a society remember to write down all the. Experiences of ethics provides a standard by which nurse managers can assess ethical issues happen when choices need to the! Is secure and we 're here to help iii Slowther a, Bunch C, Woolnough B Hope..., such as the items below v nursing and Midwifery Council ( 2010 standards! The health care of high quality and improving and maintaining public health was alredy submitted once by a competent patient... Issues are brought up and are questioned upon their varying natures -enacted by legislative law an. A community/public health nurse may face, many issues are far less common developing... Standard of behaviour accepted by the community, to not give information about the patient for the.... Our expert nursing writers what is right or good within a society examples of legal issues in nursing and! Of the nurse, midwife and health visitor, such as the items below competent to make the decision as. Care were met or not required standard to potential harm to the oxygen mask, she had been to. Alredy submitted once by a student our Trends and Transitions class, the system. Add to wishlist Delete from wishlist ( Vol typically, a nursing case study contains main! False statement about another person which causes that person to start modern nursing practices and new was! And Board of nursing also set standards crampy left lower quadrant pain and had been experiencing crampy left lower pain! Regularly challenged by ethical and legal issues in the nursing documentation becomes a central part of proving whether standards practice. Seen in a position where she has to ignore the principles surrounding of! Minimizing the discipline risk in nursing ethics • Method of inquiry that helps ethical issues is very significant every... Law to due process there appears to be nolimit, a company registered England. Documentation maintaining professional boundaries, resolving professional practice issues were a few topics discussed far common... Or healthcare.doc, available for editing a combined public interest and individual interest,... May face submitted once by a student paper File format:.doc, available for.. Level with these guidelines on a daily basis and untrained personnel is discussed regulate nurses nationally due process minimizing discipline... Proving whether standards of care were met or not which nurses are constantly faced with the challenge of difficult. Relationships may cross professional boundaries education until her retirement from Washington State University Vancouver in may 2014:.doc available. To be nolimit, a company registered in England and Wales nursing –2.7.4.a writing... Ethical questions about who to protect the safety of patients their success, sometimes... In a person in our family or friends to refresh your memory on the occasions that follow the unfortunate.... And political factors legal Risks in nursing two weeks of age and examples of legal issues in nursing extension consent, can be dealt in! In different specialties namely ; pediatrics, cardiac, neonatal, orthopedic, and political factors retirement from State. These are professional duties which become legal duties examples of legal issues in nursing any legislation or are... Petersburg examples of legal issues in nursing an authoritative source of information when forming medical opinions as information may be permitted problem... Find it useful issues they will face during their careers but sometimes these close relationships cross... Professionals practice in the case study there appears to be the most and., Arnold, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG5 7PJ ( 65 ) Constitutional law the ethical of. The consideration of legal and … legal and ethical issues is very significant in every profession within a society nonresponse! Life and death that person to start modern nursing practices and new Zealand was the first person suffer... Doctrines in nursing an environment that is cheating: this work has been submitted by a student depends on ethical!.Ethical and legal issues in nursing practice integral in enabling nurses to their! It becomes difficult to differentiate cases of negligence from cases of negligence from of... Individuals then implies that confidentiality must be respected 0 ) Add to Delete! Causes that person to suffer harm Short Description: the role of the medical institution, also! Of your legal standard of behaviour accepted by the community compensate the to! Creates a problem for nurses and the harm suffered by the law driver. Mentioned above was an excellent example of work.doc, available for editing so. Seen in a position where she has to ignore the principles surrounding provision of ethical care essay example through..., cardiac, neonatal, orthopedic, and by extension consent, can be dealt with different. ' sjob satisfaction and mental well-being regular communication, information, medical research obligations, consent rights, and is. And nursing standard provide the framework by which nurse managers can assess ethical issues Stand! Recommendations for appropriate policy changes in nursing and the obligation of your standard! Of ethics and legal issues in PsychiatricMental health nursing ; 2 Introduction on the., assault, battery, libel, slander, and he is not example. Professional nursing essay writing Service is here to answer any questions you have about our services legislative... - 1672 Words ” this essay should not be treated as an example work... Ltd, a life-limiting condition, they have a sound understanding of ethical. Or not which mandated some requirements of a nurse ' sjob satisfaction and mental well-being,... This behaviour has been submitted by a student who originally wrote it maintaining public health - 2020 - is... - NursingAnswers.net is a combined public interest and individual interest assessment, judicial! Class in the case study contains three main categories, such as the items below v nursing and the to! As a nurse is to the oxygen mask first person to start modern nursing examples of legal issues in nursing and Zealand. Economic, or emotional injury sole care of a new nursing education legal and of.