Conflict Between Employer Policy and Professional Code of Ethics
Note: Before completing this Discussion, please familiarize yourself with the Discussion Rubric located in the Course Information area of the course navigation menu.
Assisted living facilities give older adults a sense of independence, even though these adults need help with daily activities. Typically, the staff at these facilities is available around the clock to assist residents. Because of the nature of assisted living facilities, staff and/or residents might become involved with helping someone in distress. Although this help is often necessary, it can involve complex challenges, including possible legal issues.
Good Samaritan doctrine is a legal principle that prevents a rescuer who has voluntarily helped a victim in distress from being sued for "wrongdoing." Its purpose is to encourage people to help strangers in need without fear of legal repercussions should they make a mistake in treatment.
Good Samaritan laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and generally do not apply to medical professionals or career emergency responders while on the job. Some of these laws, however, extend protection to professional rescuers when they are acting in a volunteer capacity.
To prepare for this Discussion, watch the CBS video, "911 Recording: Nurse Refuses to Give CPR to Dying Woman." Analyze the Good Samaritan law in your state, and review the Tunson article in this week's Learning Resources. As a health care administrator, analyze how Good Samaritan laws and health care laws and ethics apply to the situation in the CBS video. What are the conflicts? How does the professional code of ethics apply to this situation?
Post an explanation of your position regarding whether the Good Samaritan law applies to a registered nurse working at an assisted living facility in your state or region. Explain whether the nurse might have an ethical or legal obligation to provide CPR. Support your position by referencing your state's or region's Good Samaritan law, the ACHE Code of Ethics, and ethical standards.
General Guidance on Discussion Posts: Your original post, will typically be 3-4 paragraphs in length as a general expectation/estimate. Refer to the Discussion Rubric for grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use the rubric to assess your work.
• Duke University: Office of News and Communications. (2013). How to write an op-ed article. Retrieved from http://newsoffice.duke.edu/duke_resources/oped
• Ethics Research Center. (2009). Plus: The decision making process. Retrieved from http://www.ethics.org/resource/plus-decision-making-process.
Note: This web page identifies the six steps a health care executive must follow when making ethical decisions. Although this page is older, the information is seminal and relevant to this course.
• Harvard Kennedy School: Communications Program. (2012). How to write an op-ed or column.Retrieved from http://shorensteincenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/HO_NEW_HOW-TO-WRITE-AN-OPED-OR-COLUMN.pdf
Media
• CBS News. (2013, March 4). 911 recording: Nurse refuses to give CPR to dying woman [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/911-recording-nurse-refuses-to-give-cpr-to-dying-woman/
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 2.