As we begin to unpack the theories of healthcare ethics and to understand the moral principles that underlie them, it is important to start by reflecting on your own understanding of what ethics means to you. Let’s begin by discussing, in your opinion, the following question: Much has been written about the importance of making ethical decisions in healthcare – let’s start with describing how you define “ethics”. Next, please provide an example of how “ethics” has played an important role in making a decision on a healthcare matter. Your example can be a personal, professional, or media example that you recall. Of course, do remember to maintain anonymity and confidentiality in the example you provide. Our next questions will give you the opportunity to apply your readings in the remainder of our discussion, using APA 6 formatting for your references. The readings present ethical theories and the principles that underlie them. Perhaps one of the best ways to understand ethical theories and principles in healthcare is to begin to apply them. We’ll start our discussion by considering the mandatory testing of newborns for HIV in New York State. In February 1997, all newborns in New York State were required to be tested for HIV antibodies under New York law. Although a pregnant woman can transmit HIV to her unborn child during pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding, timely medical treatment can greatly reduce the risk of transmission to the newborn. Of course, a newborn’s test result also provides information about the mother’s HIV status, which is especially significant when the mother has refused to be tested for HIV. Mandatory newborn testing provides a safety net for newborns whose HIV-positive mothers were not aware of their status. Upon initiation of mandatory testing, The ACLU, and the HIV Law Project filed suits alleging ethical and legal deficiencies in this mandatory testing practice, which is among the most stringent in the nation. At the time when testing began, New York State had the highest prevalence of HIV infection in women in the United States. In addition, New York State also had the highest number of pediatric AIDS cases in the nation, between 1987 and 1997, with about 12,000 babies diagnosed with HIV. The testing procedure requires that a pregnant woman receive voluntary counseling and HIV testing only upon consent. If, however, at the time of the baby’s birth, there is no record of an HIV/AIDS test for the mother, then the baby is tested immediately for HIV/AIDS upon delivery. The test used is a rapid test, which has a high false positive rate. If the baby tests positively for HIV/AIDS, there is an immediate administration of AZT to prevent transmission. Since this procedure was initiated in New York State, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of babies infected with HIV/AIDS. After mandatory testing began in February 1997, the perinatal HIV transmission rate for New York State dropped drastically from twenty-five percent (25%) to just under four percent (4%). By 2016, New York State reported that there were no babies with HIV in 2015. We will discuss the questions as a group, starting with the first question. Do you believe that mandatory testing of newborns for HIV should occur? Why or why not? Identify those who are impacted by mandatory testing. How are they impacted? Do you believe that mandatory testing is ethical or not? Identify an ethical theory(ies) and explain why this theory(ies) supports your stance. Are there any ethical principles which apply? Identify each ethical principle and explain how it applies in this situation.
Ineffective Pain Management in Postoperative Patients
Ineffective Pain Management in Postoperative Patients Assignment Directions • Review this week’s lecture materials and assigned reading(s). • Complete this assignment. o Identify one (1) current workplace clinical problem impacting quality that you have: a) observed in a clinical rotation, b) witnessed in your work environment, or c) researched in the literature (e.g., nursing peer-reviewed […]
