Law and Ethics, Patients Rights in Practice free essay sample

In particular, those aspects observed by the student relating to patients privacy, confidentiality and any situations which warranted a limitation to patient privacy will be described and discussed with reference to patients rights. Situations in the hospital setting where the student nurse viewed health professionals informing patients about treatment options, encouraging patients to take action in decisions about their health, and gaining informed, voluntary consent prior to procedures will be discussed. An explanation of reasons for selecting privacy and consent as two essential concepts which health providers must understand will be illustrated. The legal and ethical responsibility of health care providers in relation to the aforementioned fundamental principles of achieving patient privacy and gaining informed voluntary consent will be examined with a clear emphasis on patient’ rights. While on clinical placement, the student nurse observed health professionals maintaining patient privacy to a high standard by consistently shutting curtains around patient’s beds, lowering their voices when working with patients in rooms containing multiple beds, courteously requesting visitors to leave the room when procedures of a sensitive nature were preformed and closing patient’s doors to limit unwanted interference from hallways. We will write a custom essay sample on Law and Ethics, Patients Rights in Practice or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In order to show patients respect, dignity and consideration, which are outlined as a fundamental patient right in the Queensland Health Public Patient’s Charter (2002), patients were consistently examined in areas that were as private as was possible at the time. This attempt by health care providers to maintain the physical privacy of all patients by consistently minimizing unwarranted outside attention is a clear demonstration of how health care providers maintained patient dignity, consideration and respect. According to the Ramsay Health Care/Cairns Private Hospital Patient Charter (nd. , patients have a right to be treated with courtesy throughout their hospital experience. The actions of the health care team correlate positively to this statement as through the maintenance of patient’s physical privacy, health care providers are demonstrating consideration for their patients and respecting their rights set forth in both the Queensland Health public patient charte r and the Ramsay health care charter. Throughout the clinical placement of the student nurse, the health care facility in question demonstrated exceptional adherence to national privacy principles 4. set forth in the Privacy Amendment Act (2000). Initiatives currently in place at Cairns Private Hospital ensure confidentiality of both patient’s medical records as well as patient’s personal details by limiting outside access to confidential information and preventing health care professionals from transmitting such information to the broader community. One such example observed by the student nurse involves the hospitals policy preventing nurses from leaving the hospital with materials used in nursing handovers that contain information regarding patient’s condition and personal details. The destruction of such material prevents the transmission of private information to the wider community and demonstrates the role of health care providers in maintaining patient privacy. According to the national privacy principle 4. 1 extracted from the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act (2000, p. 9), â€Å"An organisation must take reasonable steps to protect the personal information it holds from misuse and loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Therefore, by ensuring patients information is protected from unauthorised access and disclosure, Cairns Private Hospital is fulfilling the legal obligations set forth for private organizations in the Privacy Amendment Act (2000) principle 4. 1. Patient’s right to have their personal information kept private and confidential, as outlined in the Queensland Health Public Patient’s Charter (2002), was also exceptionally demonstrated by those nurses with whom the student nurse was in contact during c linical placement. Health care providers consistently maintained patient confidentiality by limiting discussion of patient’s condition to those situations where health care providers must share patient information to improve patient care. When the student nurse observed an exchange of information between health care providers pertaining to patient’s condition, it occurred in a manner such that other patients or visitors were unable to discern the content of discussion. This includes, but is not limited to, patient information related in nursing handovers. By treating patient’s personal information obtained in a professional capacity as confidential, nurses are adhering to the expected national standards for Australian nurses as stated in ANC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia (nd. ). The importance of maintaining patient privacy is unquestionable. Patients belief that health care professionals will handle their personal information with respect, dignity and maintain their confidentiality not only illustrates the ethical and legal responsibilities of health care providers, but correlates positively with the formation of trust between patient and nurse. According to Stein-Parbury (2005 p. 42), â€Å"†¦ without trust, there is minimal self-disclosure and little chance that patients will share their experiences with nurses or that nurses will come to understand patients’ experiences. † Therefore, through the maintenance of patient privacy and confidentiality, the element of trust, which forms the basis of all nurse-patient relationships, is strengthened. Crisp and Taylor (2005), illustrated the importance of patient privacy and confidentiality as without these two essential components patients would not feel able to tell health care professionals their most intimate and private details. This potential hesitation to share personal information with health providers can have a negative impact on the provision of care and can ultimately lead to treatment that does not take into consideration essential aspects of patient’s health. The maintenance of patient’s privacy is essential in both building trust between nurse and patient and providing holistic nursing care. As stated previously, the maintenance of patient privacy has implications in both legal and ethical spheres and is paramount to the formation of the nurse-patient relationship. Student nurses must therefore gain an understanding of the importance of maintaining patient privacy to ensure that once qualified as a registered nurse, one will understand the reasons why legally and ethically we must adhere to the guidelines. In today’s health care setting, the emphasis of patient’s rights and understanding these rights is paramount if one wishes to practice safe appropriate care for all peoples. It is for these reasons that the central issue of patient privacy was selected for consideration. Although the importance of maintaining patient privacy is unquestionable, there are ertain situations that warrant the sharing of patient information. As observed by the student nurse, health care professionals continuously share patient information between themselves in attempts to allow allied health professionals to provide appropriate holistic patient care. In today’s hospitals, with shift work and the increasing specialization of various allied healt h workers, it is essential that patient information is shared to improve patients care and outcome. In order to achieve appropriate care for patient’s, this is a requirement and will not be considered as a breach of patient privacy. This team work approach to health care is viewed as of benefit to the patient and is absolutely essential is today’s health care facilities where health care professionals are increasingly working in more specialized fields. Throughout the entire clinical placement, the student nurse consistently observed health providers informing patients of their various treatment options, encouraging patients to take an active role in decisions about their health, and ultimately gaining informed voluntary consent prior to any procedure. As outlined in the Queensland Health Public Patients Charter (2002), and the Ramsay Health Care/Cairns Private Hospital Patient Charter (nd. ), patients have a right to easy to understand information about their condition, treatment options, risks, and expected outcomes. The health providers viewed by the student nurse exemplified exceptional adherence to the patients right to accurate information as nurses were observed directly informing patients wherever possible about their treatment options, risks, and choices available to them. Health care providers not only adhered to their legal obligation of providing treatment information to patients, but did so in a way that reflected nurses ability to use due care in support of their ethical responsibilities. According to the Ramsay Health Care/Cairns Private Hospital Patient Charter (nd. ), patients have a right to ask questions and seek clarification in regards to matters that concern them. The actions of the health care team exemplified good practice with reference to this patient right. Health care providers were willing at all times to respond to patients questions or concerns and faced each situation with enthusiasm and clear respect for patients right to ask questions and seek clarification. Patients right to take part in decisions about their health care as stated in the Queensland Public Health Charter ( 2002), was viewed by the student nurse to occur in conjunction with the aforementioned patient right to information about treatment. By providing patients with easy to understand information about their condition, it allowed patients to make informed choices regarding their treatment and overall health. Health professionals were observed to provide patients with the information they require such that patients could make their own decisions regarding their treatment options. By thoroughly providing patients with necessary information as well as encouraging patients to take an active role in decisions about their health, health providers were empowering patients and fostering patient’s autonomy. Autonomy, the freedom to decide and act (Stein-Parbury, 2005), can be enhanced when a patient is given information about their condition and encouraged to take an active role in making decisions about their health. Informing patients of various treatment options and encouraging patients to take an active role in decisions about their health are fundamental components of informed voluntary consent. Informed voluntary consent may be implied, written or verbally given. The student nurse observed various nurses obtaining implied consent from patients when performing routine procedures such as taking a blood pressure reading. The student also viewed health providers obtaining verbal consent from patients when preforming procedures such as showering and mobilizing patients. The health providers adhered to the legal requirements which state that consent must be voluntarily given and informed (Forrester Griffiths, 2005). The actions of the health care team correlate positively to the statements set forth in both the Queensland Health Public Patients Charter (2002) and the ANMC Code of Ethics for Nurses in Australia (nd. ). The charter asserts that patients have the right to give their permission before they are treated. Whether consent was implied or verbal, the student nurse observed patients giving their permission prior to any procedure. According to Value Statement 2 in the Code of Nursing Ethics (nd. ), nurses must accept the rights of individuals to make informed choices in relation to their care. By ensuring that patients right to make informed choices in relation to their care and obtaining informed voluntary consent, health providers are meeting their legal and ethical obligations surrounding patients consent. It is essential that student nurses have an understanding of their moral and legal requirements surrounding patients consent. If a health provider performs a procedure without acquiring consent, there is a possibility that their actions legally may amount to assault or battery. According to Forrester and Griffiths (2005), battery involves the unlawful touching of a person without his or her consent. In charges of battery, there is no requirement that the patient sustains any injuries as a result of health professionals unlawful touching. Health providers must therefore have an understanding of the legal ramifications surrounding consent to ensure that they provide safe nursing care based on respecting patient’s legal rights. It is for this reason that the issue of patient’s consent was included for discussion in this paper. It is becoming increasingly important for health professionals to have an understanding of their legal and ethical responsibility for the maintenance of patient privacy and obtaining informed voluntary consent prior to preforming any procedure with patients. With the emphasis on patiens rights becoming more prevalent in the health care setting, it is essential that health care workers respect patient’s rights which include, but are not limited to, maintaining patient privacy and obtaining informed voluntary consent. The health providers present at the health care facility attended by the student nurse were observed to demonstrate good practice with respect to patients’ rights as set forth in the Queensland Health Public Patients Charter (2002).

Role of Fate Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

Role of Fate Romeo and Juliet Essay Example Role of Fate Romeo and Juliet Paper Role of Fate Romeo and Juliet Paper In William Shakespeares play, Romeo and Juliet have fate is one of the main contributors that lead to their deaths. Because of fate, the play becomes exciting and it is exactly what makes the two young lovers meet each other in the first place. It was fate that a Capulet’s serving man told Romeo and Benvolio about the party where the two lovers meet, in the prologue of the play Shakespeare says that Romeo and Juliet are â€Å"star-crossed lovers†, and lastly, the flaws in Friar Lawrence’s plan also contributed to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Therefore, fate is undoubtedly the most responsible for the couples heartbreaking tragedy. It is not a coincidence that Romeo and Juliet meet in the first place. A serving man comes across Romeo and Benvolio in the first act, unaware that they are Montague’s, and informs them about the Capulet party: My master is the great rich Capulet: and if you be not of the house of Montague’s, I pray come and crush a cup of wine ( Act 1, scene 2, 81-84). It is by fate that Romeo and Benvolio run into the Capulet serving man and discover the party. In the prologue the chorus says pair of star-crossed lovers take their life; (Line 6) â€Å"star-crossed† meaning opposed of by the stars. Finally, it is also a result of fate that the flaws in Friar Lawrences plan eventually lead to Romeo and Juliets deaths. For example, Friar Lawrences plan is ruined because Friar John is unable to deliver the message to Romeo: I could not send it here it is again nor get a messenger to bring it thee, so fearful were they of infection (Act 5, Scene 2, 14-16). Because Friar Lawrences message is crucial to the plan he says that the fact that it is never sent creates a major flaw that can turn out to be very deadly. For these reasons, Romeo and Juliets first meeting is sure to happen, fate being the most powerful force at work, determining their future. In conclusion, Romeo and Juliet were star-crossed lovers who were never supposed to be happy together, and both Romeo and Juliet knew that no good would come with their love for each other (Romeo, 1. . 106-111) (Juliet, 1. 5. 141). In this, it is learned that the tragic ending to Romeo and Juliet was inevitable, and that no matter what, they would not end up living happily as a couple. Taking into consideration that Romeo and Juliet are doomed to meet, love and die together, fate is clearly the dominant force for the most part of the play.

Financial Crisis Effects on America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Financial Crisis Effects on America - Essay Example This essay stresses that the effect of the crisis evolved to a number of countries, and by the mid of 2008, the economic crisis had spread over an appreciated region, worldwide. Many countries with emerging economies felt the influence of the recession that had its manifestation in a number of ways including increased poverty level. Among the countries that experienced a hard hit were the South Africa, Turkey and Mexico. Some like China, however, managed to have a fair time during and after the recession since it records an appreciated rate of economic growth. This paper declares that the recession had emanated from a number of factors and got policymakers and investors unaware. Multilateral agencies and analysts of economic situations underestimated the effect of the financial crisis and the great depression, at the beginning. Signs as the high current deficits, mainly in the United States and United Kingdom, were a clear show that the economy was at under challenge. The lax financial regulation in the United States, coupled with the loose monetary policy experienced were among the different various signs of a financially unstable period. However, after Lehman Brothers experienced a collapse, the situation received attention from policymakers and investors. Investors, for instance, revised their strategies. Noteworthy is the transmission effect of the financial crisis to the country’s real economy. The effect of the real economy on occurs through five notable ways. The wealth effect on the real economy relates to the reduction in n et worth of households. The crisis experienced had considerable effects on the well-being of households in the United States. A significant number of households experienced financial distress because of the reactions to economic stress. The first three quarters of the crisis in 2008 experienced a substantial reduction in asset values for households (Bernanke 2008, p.1). The reduced stock value also reduced the net worth of households. There was a nota reduction in the prices of houses, as well. A significant percentage of households had little value in ownership of stock market holdings. Direct ownership of equities went down to a low record in 2008. Mutual fund holdings reduced and initiated the effect of reduced household net worth. The reduction in prices of stocks triggered a significant hit on households nearing retirement period. The wealth effect also reduced the level of consumption among since there was high need for households to make savings. The need for savings was prom pted by the urge to make up for the reduced value of wealth and maintain the level of life that households had, prior to the crisis. The confidence effect of the economic crisis relates to the implications on the portion of the population that lost wealth and experienced a reduction in asset value. May citizens underwent losses in the stock market. Other people experienced unstable credit ratings while others lost employment. These affected their level of commitment and prompted keenness in consideration of financial commitments. Their confidence level reduced remarkably, as they gained caution regarding the possibility of