NHS-FPX4000: Developing The Relevance of Approach used to address the Ethical Dilemma

An error involving the care team leaving an object in a patients belly demonstrates the need for proactive interventions and collaboration among members of the care team. Moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior guide individuals through the decision-making process (Bakhtiari et al., 2020). In the case, moral awareness is visible after the director listened to the operating room supervisor and understood the need for an informed conclusion about the right action step. The decision to consult and investigate the causes, implications, and corrective measures portrays moral judgment (Rizalar & Baltaci, 2020). The director understood the sensitive nature of the error and the importance of assessing different options and their implications on the future health of the patient (Bakhtiari et al., 2020). Further, ethical behavior is evident in Straight’s decisions after understanding the situation, consulting widely, and familiarizing with the patient’s emotional, physical, and mental wellness in the future. Straight demonstrated the commitment to fulfilling requirements of the decision-making model, which remind health leaders to apply moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior when faced with an ethical dilemma.

Applying Ethical Principles

The Missing Needle Protector makes healthcare professionals responsive to the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and autonomy. The applications of the principles is evident in the scenario. For instance, the director ignored the patient’s autonomy in making decisions that matches her preferences. Denying the patient the right to determine the preferred action step could limit the director from making an informed decision (Kadivar et al., 2017). Secondly, beneficence requires the care team to consider a patient’s best interests before making a decision. In the case, Straight demonstrated desire to make a choice that would protect the patient from harm. However, having a general surgeon with declining capabilities and allowing him to handle sensitive activities raises questions about the facility commitment to fulfilling patients’ best interests.

Reducing Cutrite’s privileges is a priority that would help the hospital make significant progress in enhancing the quality and safety of patient care. The consideration also aligns with the non-maleficence principles that advocate for practices that prevent emotional, psychological, and mental harm (Kadivar et al., 2017). Straight understood the principle of non-maleficence, hence, the decision to seek clarification from the scrub nurse and the chief of surgery before avoiding to take the patient back to the operating room. Lastly, justice principle reminds the care team about delivering fair and equitable services. In this case, Straight made the right decision to handle the situation fairly by investigating and exhausting alternatives available to safeguard the patient from life-threatening complications.

Conclusion

The Missing Needle Protector is an excellent example of a scenario where moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior allow health leaders to make informed decisions. The case also reminds healthcare providers to embrace the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and autonomy. The primary goal is ensuring that decisions meet patients’ expectations and safeguard them from emotional, mental, and physical harm.

References

Bakhtiari, S., Rakhshan, M., Shahriari, M., & Sharif, F. (2020). Perspective and experience of operating room personnel on ethical behaviors. Electronic Journal of General Medicine, 17(3), 1-9. https://www.ejgm.co.uk/download/perspective-and-experience-of-operating-room-personnel-on-ethical-behaviors-7821.pdf