Consent has been a fundamental part of nursing practice dating back as far as Hippocrates in ancient Greece. The Hippocratic Oath is an ancient form of guideline, devised for those who chose to enter the medical profession. Here these guidelines show physician-patient conversation were key components in healthcare, along with ensuring patients were kept informed on issues related to their health and the importance of gaining consent during the delivery of care (Miles, 2009). This assignment will discuss what consent is, and its importance in the modern world in adult nursing practice. It will also consider the differences and/or issues that may be faced looking at consent from an adult branch of nursing practice compared to a children’s branch, including possible barriers relating to diversity. Consent is defined in the Oxford dictionary as, ‘Permission for something to happen or agreement to do something’ (Oxford Dictionary, 214). In nursing practice this definition is more detailed and is defined by NHS choices as, ‘The principle that a person must give their permission before they receive any type of medical treatment. Consent is required from a patient regardless of the type of treatment being undertaken, to an organ donation’ (Advanced Nursing Practice Toolkit, 2014). As is very clear in these two definitions, the principle is very similar, if something is going to happen, permission must be obtained. But as we link this to nursing practice the concept becomes far more detailed than and as definite as can be to ensure there can be no misinterpretation as to what is meant. In nursing practice any adult consenting to any treatment or procedure must be believed to be mentally capable of making a decision. Consent must be given i... ... middle of paper ... ...ss common in relation to consent as every patient is treated the same regardless of their culture, beliefs or religion and every patient has the same choice as whether or not to consent to any form of procedure/treatment. The only factor that could really cause any issues are language barriers but in main they are overcome with implied consent, or if any treatments or procedures are being planned then discussion with family members who will then interpret this information and fed back to the practitioner. In conclusion as shown in the two cases discussed, consent is one of, if not the most important consideration in nursing practice. Patients have an ethical and more importantly, legal right to the choice of the care they receive. As practitioners we have the duty to ensure we are fully aware and work in line with the principles of consent to ensure best practice.
Nurses everywhere face problems and challenges in practice. Most of the challenges occur due to a struggle with the use of ethical principles in patient care. Ethical principles are “basic and obvious moral truths that guide deliberation and action,” (Burkhardt, Nathaniel, 2014). Ethical principles that are used in nursing practice include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, veracity, confidentiality, justice, and fidelity. These challenges not only affect them, but the quality of care they provide as well. According to the article, some of the most frequently occurring and most stressful ethical issues were protecting patient rights, autonomy and informed consent to treatment, staffing problems, advanced care planning, and surrogate decision making (Ulrich et. al, 2013). The ethical issue of inadequate staffing conflicts with the principle of non-maleficence.
Consent is necessary from everyone, not only those who can verbalise his or her needs. It is important to find out the persons communication needs so that they can be involved in discussions around their needs and preferences. My duty of care is to ensure that choices are given, and that appropriate support is obtained where there is lack of capacity is the decision is complex and the individual cannot consent. This may be from families or next of kin or using advocates to ensure that the client’s best interests are maintained. There may be past events or requests that could indicate the client’s preferences, and these must be considered when choices have to be made by others. Any preferences should be recorded on care plans and shared with relevant others to be able to determine the best interests of the person. Decisions should also be put off until the client is able to make their own choices where possible and not taken on their behalf through assuming we know
Kuczewski, Mark. "Reconceiving the Family: the Process of Consent in Medical Decision Making." Hastings Center Report. March-April 1996: 32-37.
In this essay the author will rationalize the relevance of professional, ethical and legal regulations in the practice of nursing. The author will discuss and analyze the chosen scenario and critically review the action taken in the expense of the patient and the care workers. In addition, the author will also evaluates the strength and limitations of the scenario in a broader issue with reasonable judgement supported by theories and principles of ethical and legal standards.
Recent developments in standard of care and professional relationship with patients have made law fundamental to the study and practice of nursing. At every stage of patients care, law helps bring up to date nursing practice and it is essential that nurses understand the legal and ethical implications of law in their nursing profession (Griffith and Tengrah, 2011). The purpose of this essay is to discuss the concept of consent in relation to the role of the nurse. This will aim at demonstrate ethical and legal implication of consent on nursing practice and professional working. In the Code (2008, cited in Griffith and Tengrah, 2011) the Nursing and Midwifery Council set standards for nursing professional to follow. Among the rules is the requirement of nurses to obtain consent before care is given.
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political, and bioethical reasoning. Inside these connections, it is the limit of a sound individual to make an educated, unpressured decision. Patient autonomy can conflict with clinician autonomy and, in such a clash of values, it is not obvious which should prevail. (Lantos, Matlock & Wendler, 2011). In order to gain informed consent, a patient
One can say that a person’s autonomy is proof enough to decide if they choose to discontinue life saving treatment. Be that as it may, when can a medical professional decide to ignore the patient’s request? To answer this question I will be using the principlist method argue when it is necessary for a medical professional to do what is in the best interest of the patient, even if it means violating their autonomy. Autonomy, or respecting one’s actions or choices, is one of the four main principles of morality. Autonomy is a major component of informed consent and to give consent is to be competent. Thus, I will be providing information of what it means to be competent. The second principle of morality is beneficence or the obligation to help
As health care providers, nurses strive to instill confidence in their patients and their loved ones. A nurse is respectful to their colleagues as well as their patients. Nurses promote patients’ independence, patients can be confident in the knowledge that a nurse will do what is best for them, respecting their privacy and dignity. This means that a nurse does not share the patient information for personal reasons nor does the nurse get involved in a patients personal relationship if it is not medically relevant (NCSBN, 2011).
Modern society has developed an understanding and recognised the morals regarding consent as individuals have a right and interest over their body (5). Consent enables protection against unauthorised invasion of an individual’s body and can be applied to numerous scenarios, including medical care (5). A paramedic must obtain consent before treating a patient, as consent has legal and ethical aspects that must be regarded (2). It is imperative for a paramedic to maintain ethical and legal competency to assess whether a patient is competent to deny or consent to treatment as presented in the case study (3). Paramedics attended Betty, a 78-year-old female, after her son called the ambulance service. Betty is provided
Ingravallo, F., Gilmore, E., Vignatelli, L., Dormi, A., Carosielli, G., Lanni, L., & Taddia, P. (2014). Factors associated with nurses’ opinions and practices regarding information and consent. Nursing Ethics, 21(3), 299-313 15p. doi:10.1177/0969733013495225
Obtaining informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement in nursing. The importance in obtaining informed consent prior treatment reflects good practice concerning Humans Rights Act (1998) to express own decisions as they have the right to do what they decide is best for them. When consent is capture such as authorisation or via electronic systems the transparency is highlighted and this may limit the negative stigma on the healthcare providers equally to increase and maintain public trust in the nursing profession (Smee 2008).
The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses has five elements that pertain to the Principle of Autonomy. Each individual element applies to “respect individual persons” (Baillie, McGeehan, Garrett T, M., Garrett R. M., 2013, p.33). In Chapter 2 of the Health Care ethics: Principles and problems text, it discusses thouroghly the consent of an individual to make their own decisions regarding their health and future requests of care. As a nurse or within all heath care professions, we must treat each individual patient with care, respect, and to remain mindful to the patient regarding any aspect of their lives. In the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, it explains ways of maintaining the empathy required in the health field. It further discusses that the respect for human dignity must be a priority, relationships to patients must remain neutral, the severity of the situation, the right to self-rule, and the professionalism that must be upheld by the nurse and their associates.
Health care providers are faced with bioethical issues every day when caring for a wide variety of patients. Bioethical principles are outlined in order to help these professionals provide the best possible care for their clients. The first principle focuses on the autonomy of individuals. This is the foundation of “informed consent” that is required before performing any medical care on a patient. The patient must completely understand the benefits and risks associated with any medical acts and make their own decision. The second principle states that no intentional harm or injury to the patient can result from the medical decision. This principle of nonmaleficence helps set standards of care to prevent wrongdoing. Beneficence is the third bioethical principle that states that it is the responsibility of the health care provider to benefit the patient. The fourth bioethical principle refers to justice and that each patient is treated with fairness. Every patient is entitled to impartial medical care to ensure the appropriate distribution of goods and services (McCormick, 2013). These bioethical principles help guide health care professionals when making difficult decisions related to controversial topics and practices.
Nursing is based on the ethical value of a commitment to promoting well-being by providing competent and compassionate care. Guidelines and codes are beneficial because they state values, obligations and limitations. These guidelines are designed to help nurse's think and resolve ethical and professional questions and issues. The nurse is faced with many legal and ethical dilemmas. One of the ...
Rumbold (1999) insists that respect for a person’s autonomy is one of the crucial principles in nursing ethics and ethical models. Gillon (1986, pp.56) defines autonomy as “the capacity to think, decide, and act on the basis of such thought and decision, freely and independently and without let or hindrance”. Therefore, it can be said that patients can expect to be fully informed of any methods of treatment available to them, in order to exercise their rights to consent to or refuse such treatment. In order for a nurse to fully respect patients autonomy, she must respect whatever decision the patient makes, and to act otherwise is to disregard the patient as an autonomous being (Fletcher et al., 1995). Fletcher, Holt, Brazier et al. (1995) discuss that when considering patient well-being, nurses may demonstrate paternalism towards their patients. Paternalism is to believe that it is right to make a decision for someone without taking into consideration those persons wishes, or even to override their wishes; therefore overriding autonomy. This happens all the more in Mental Health and Learning Disability services because people assume that they may not have capacity to make decisions for themselves.