Oncology Case Study Essay

Student Name: Danielle Lott
Case Number: 3-5: A medication Error on the Oncology Unit: Who Has the Final Word?
Step 1: Respond to the Sense That Something Is Wrong – Where in the case is the first indication that an ethical problem/issue is developing? Why? (250 words or less)
There were many ethical issues within this case; the first indication of an ethical problem was the administration of an incorrect medication to the patient. The doctor, administration, and providers involved in the care of the patient must decide what is ethically moral when informing the patient. I believe that it is the patient’s right to know that she received the wrong medication for a number of days. Although no major medical consequences occurred, I believe this

Clinical information that may be useful would be the stage of cancer, when she was diagnosed, and why she was admitted to the hospital. Further clarification on extent of harm would require lab results from before and after the administration of the wrong medication. Situational information offered in this case is that the patient is currently residing in the hospital and being treated by a physician for cancer. I would like to know if anyone is with her at the hospital, her religion or race, and the patient’s ability or inability to

I think that both issues could have resulted in patient harm, even if that was not the intended action. The results in this case deals with beneficence and nonmaleficence. This is the basic duty of a health care professional: to do good and avoid harm. Both of which were violated in this case. I feel that Dr. Strunk realized that the hospital’s policy was violated his morals and code of ethics. I believe that the hospital’s administration only looked out for themselves. Although no visible harm was done to the patient, the best course of action was to inform the patient of the mistake. One could argue no harm, no foul, but I believe that the hospital should consider the patient’s overall well-being. If the patient found out about the error down the road, the hospital may be in even more trouble.
Step 4: Seek a Resolution – What should happen to resolve the ethical issues identified in Step 3? Give reasons or arguments to justify your resolution by using theories or principles of ethics. (250 words or