Moral distress is defined as “when one knows the right thing to do, but institutional constraints make it nearly impossible to pursue the right course of action,” (Butts & Rich, 2022, p.76). In Five Days at Memorial, moral distress certainly occurred among nurses, as Hurricane Katrina brought up a lot of tough situations and choices to be made. The nursing staff all had the desire to give the care they normally provide to their patients, but limited resources and staff made this impossible at times. “The heat and a shortage of diapers and fresh linens had defeated the nursing staff's efforts to keep patients dry and clean. Her skin was raw,” (Fink, 2016, p.193). They also felt powerless and drained from seeing so much suffering and loss. One …show more content…
LifeCare patients had their own part of the hospital and consisted of older patients there for long-term care. This label led them to be seemingly disregarded in many ways. “...even Memorial's less sick patients were being prioritized over LifeCares, generally very sick ones,” (Fink, 2016, p.100). These decisions reflected how many did not view LifeCare patients as worthy of care or resources. As evacuation continued, someone aiding in loading the helicopters stated, “We need more viable patients. y'all can’t keep bringing patients like this to us,” (Fink, 2016, p.125). This highlights a problematic attitude, which is dehumanizing and shows a lack of compassion. An assisting therapist was offended by this comment and found it particularly derogatory, as the patients he cared for on LifeCare were “like this” (Fink, 2016). Hearing opinions like these may have caused moral distress among nurses who care for LifeCare patients. Further, moral distress may have also been experienced by nurses as they watched some doctors provide lethal injections to patients. In this situation, a nurse may be unable to stop other nurses or providers from administering lethal doses of Morphine to patients, particularly in such a time of
Braddock, Clarence, and Mark Tonelli. "Physician Aid-in-Dying: Ethical Topic in Medicine." Ethics in Medicine. University of Washington, 2009. Web. 3 March 2015.
Barbara Huttman’s “A Crime of Compassion” has many warrants yet the thesis is not qualified. This is a story that explains the struggles of being a nurse and having to make split-second decisions, whether they are right or wrong. Barbara was a nurse who was taking care of a cancer patient named Mac. Mac had wasted away to a 60-pound skeleton (95). When he walked into the hospital, he was a macho police officer who believed he could single-handedly protect the whole city (95). His condition worsened every day until it got so bad that he had to be resuscitated two or three times a day. Barbara eventually gave into his wishes to be let go. Do you believe we should have the right to die?
In A Tender Hand in the Presence of Death, Heather, the nurse, would put in IVs and feeding tubes in hopes of prolonging hospice care even when they were ineffective in order to give more time to the families who were having trouble letting go (MacFarquhar, 2016). In my personal situation, I can relate, as two of my grandparents have passed away from cancer and suffered for a long time before passing. Although it was incredibly sad and our families bargained for more time, there was some peace in knowing that the suffering had come to an end once they passed. For our own selfish reasons, we want as much time as possible with our loved ones who are suffering and close to death, but in reality, the decision for assisted suicide should only concern the individual whose life it
Tragic events occur not only in the United States, but also all over the world. From these tragic events communities, families, and the government decide to place memorials for people that were lost and as a thank you for people protecting the citizens of the country. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Wall, in Washington D.C. is one of these cases. However, what exactly was the purpose of this memorial? The purpose of putting up the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was not only to thank the veterans for their bravery, but to remind future generations about happened during the Vietnam War. Also, the memorial is important to help people and the veterans to accept the fact that the war actually
I was shocked by the manner in which the professionals spoke about death and the dying, as a business transaction. This meeting was a blatant reminder that the business side always has a presence in some degree. As a social worker, I felt uncomfortable with the way they were speaking. It did not seem appropriate for the social workers to stop everything and give a lesson on the dignity and worth of a person. The best way to combat this may be to change the way we speak about patients amongst ourselves. Focusing on one person at a time, the sensitivity and awareness can grow into the fabric of the office culture. I believe that the company once was very sensitive and honors the sanctity of a person’s life. However, after years and years of working in this population, they have grown desensitized. Person-centered language could also be something instituted into the language of the
Neonatal nurses spend their career working with babies, those that are healthy and those that are not. Working with newborns is guaranteed to have its challenges, especially for those particular nurses who choose to work in the neonatal intensive care unit. The neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, is where the infants suffering from potentially fatal diseases/disorders are held. NICU nurses struggle with life and death situations each and everyday, which is sure to be accompanied by specific emotions such as moral distress. In the words of researcher Kain (2006), “moral distress is defined as uncomfortable, painful emotions that arise when institutional constraints prevent the nurse from performing nursing tasks that are deemed necessary and appropriate” (p. 388). In simpler words, Kain (2006) is saying that a nurse experiencing moral distress is undergoing painful emotions that are getting in the way of the nurse’s ability to perform essential tasks (p. 388). Heuer, L., Bengiamin, M., Downey, V., and Imler, N. (1996) pointed out that nurses caring for critically ill and dying infants often feel hopeless, incompetent, and disappointed, especially if the overall outcome for the infant is death (p. 1126). These negative feelings that NICU nurses often have are those that are associated with moral distress and can often lead to prevention of proper performance in necessary nursing duties.
The American Nurses Association (ANA) thinks that nurses should stay away from doing euthanasia, or assisting in doing euthanasia because it is against the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2001; herein referred to as The Code). Overall, nurses are also advised to deliver a quality of care what include respect compassion and dignity to all their patients. For people in end-of-life, nursing care should also focus on the patient’s comfort, when possible the dying patient should be pain free. Nurses have also the obligation to support the patient but also the patient’s family members during these difficult moments. We must work to make sure that patients and family members are well informed about every option that is
Originating on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 1918, the cessation of fighting at the end of World War I would come to be known as Veterans Day. This hallowed day, was thought to be the end to wars, and was reflected upon by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 as representative of the solemn pride to honor those who died in service of their country. (VA.gov)
...endent judgments about their own fate. In keeping with this trend there is now a growing drive to review the current laws on euthanasia and assisted suicide.” (McCormack, 1998) Nurses are faced with various ethical dilemmas every day. If theses ethical decisions are not treated in a professional manner there can be harsh consequences for both the patient and the nurse.
Davis J. Anne Diane Marsha and Aroskar A. Mila (2010). Ethical Dilemmas and Nursing Practice. Pearson
As a result, life-sustaining procedures such as ventilators, feeding tubes, and treatments for infectious and terminal diseases are developing. While these life-sustaining methods have positively influenced modern medicine, they also inadvertently cause terminal patients extensive pain and suffering. Previous to the development of life-sustaining procedures, many people died in the care of their own home, however, today the majority of Americans take their last breath lying in a hospital bed. As the advancement of modern medicine continues, physicians and patients are going to encounter life-altering trials and tribulations. Arguably, the most controversial debate in modern medicine is the discussion of the ethical choice for physician-assisted suicide.
The goal of medicine: restore health, minimize harm, and maximize benefits. In many cases, end-of-life patients may get to a point where resuscitation poses harm rather than benefits. The ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ (DNR) orders allow a patient to decide whether or not a healthcare professional may resuscitate them in the event of cardiac or respiratory distress. However, the topic is controversial as it sparks debates concerning ethics. In a speech to families of hospice patients, Dr. David Jones passionately proves the need for Do Not Resuscitate orders to offer optimal care for patients by explaining the reality of resuscitation, the power of advance directives, and the necessity of compassion.
Faith Community Hospital, an organization who's mission statement is to promote health and well-being of the people in the communities. They serve through the extent of services provided in collaboration with the partners who share the same vision and values. Though the mission statement is the model that everyone should be following, everyone does not think the same about every issue. We all may face similar situation at one point in time but the end result may be different for each individual because we all have different values and beliefs. There are many differences between ethics, laws, beliefs, and oaths that all affect the decisions from patients to staff members. Some patients refuse to take medical services and there are staff members who refuse to provide certain services due to those value lines. Some of the staff members are caring so much for the patients that they sometimes take radical positions to respond to their well-beings. In these situations medical intervention can conflict with religious beliefs or personal moral convictions. Hospital pharmacists are even taking positions which they believe to be important such as filling uninsured prescriptions by accepting payments in installments. Staff members in ICU initiated Do Not Resuscitate procedures with out written orders. Doctors are putting patients first from various interpretations. In "right to die" situations the doctors seem to be getting too involved in compassion and passions with their patients. We need to stay focused on what our jobs are and what we are promoting which is to provide healthcare and its services to members of the communities. Counselors are also treating some of their clients with no authorization of the values and beliefs they have. On the other hand, there are some staff members within the hospital who refuse to serve patients unless they have confirmed insurance coverage. If a patient is to pass away because of unauthorized decisions, this can cause a stir with the media as well as with current or future patients in the community.
Another huge ethical topic is the patient’s right to choose autonomy in the refusal of life-saving medicine or treatment. This issue affects a nurse’s standards of care and code of ethics. “The nurse owes the patient a duty of care and must act in accordance with this duty at all times, by respecting and supporting the patient’s right to accept or decline treatment” (Volinsky). In order for a patient to be able make these types of decisions they must first be deemed competent. While the choice of patient’s to refuse life-saving treatment may go against nursing ethical codes and beliefs to attempt and coerce them to get treatment is trespass and would conclude in legal action. “….then refusal of these interventions may be regarded as inappropriate, but in the case of a patient with capacity, the patient must have the ultimate authority to decide” (Volinsky). While my values of the worth of life and importance of action may be different than others, as a nurse I have to learn to set that aside and follow all codes of ethics whether I have a dilemma with them or not. Sometimes with ethics there is no right or wrong, but as a nurse we have to figure out where to draw the line in some cases.