Describe an organizational environment that would facilitate the ethical practice of nurses caring for chronically ill patients.

QUESTION

Describe an organizational environment that would facilitate the ethical practice of nurses caring for chronically ill patients. Identify specific strategies to help ensure that this patient’s rights, responsibilities, and informed consent are supported within the patient care environment. Explain how the registered nurse can assist in protecting patient rights.

ANSWER

 Creating an Ethical Environment for Nurses Caring for Chronically Ill Patients

Introduction

Caring for chronically ill patients requires a compassionate and ethical approach from healthcare organizations. Creating an organizational environment that supports the ethical practice of nurses is essential to uphold the rights, responsibilities, and informed consent of these vulnerable patients (Haddad, 2022). In this essay, we will explore the characteristics of an organizational environment that facilitates ethical care for chronically ill patients, along with specific strategies to support patient rights, responsibilities, and informed consent. Additionally, we will discuss the crucial role of registered nurses in protecting patient rights and promoting ethical practice.

Organizational Environment

An organizational environment that facilitates ethical practice for nurses caring for chronically ill patients should exhibit the following characteristics:

Ethical Culture: The organization should foster a culture that prioritizes patient well-being, respects autonomy, values open communication, and promotes shared decision-making.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaboration among healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians, social workers, and other members of the healthcare team, is crucial in ensuring comprehensive and patient-centered care (Bosch & Mansell, 2015).

Adequate Resources: Sufficient staffing, appropriate training and education programs, access to necessary equipment and technology, and supportive policies are essential to provide high-quality care to chronically ill patients.

Strategies to Support Patient Rights, Responsibilities, and Informed Consent

To ensure that patient rights, responsibilities, and informed consent are supported within the patient care environment, the following strategies can be implemented:

Patient Education: Provide comprehensive and understandable information to patients about their condition, treatment options, potential risks and benefits, and their rights and responsibilities. This empowers patients to make informed decisions and actively participate in their care.

Shared Decision-Making: Encourage shared decision-making between patients, their families, and the healthcare team. This involves respectful dialogue, active listening, and honoring patient preferences, values, and goals.

 Ethical Committees and Consultation Services: Establish ethical committees or consultation services within the organization to address complex ethical dilemmas. These resources can provide guidance, facilitate discussions, and ensure ethical decision-making when dealing with challenging situations.

Role of Registered Nurses in Protecting Patient Rights

Registered nurses play a critical role in protecting patient rights and promoting ethical practice. They can:

Advocate for Patient Autonomy: Registered nurses can advocate for patients’ right to make informed decisions about their care by ensuring that they have access to complete and understandable information, facilitating communication with the healthcare team, and respecting their choices.

Ensure Informed Consent: Nurses have a responsibility to verify that patients have given informed consent before any procedures, treatments, or interventions. This includes explaining the nature of the procedure, potential risks and benefits, and alternative options.

Provide Patient Education: Registered nurses are at the forefront of patient education, providing information about the patient’s condition, treatment plan, and self-care strategies (Vaismoradi et al., 2020). This empowers patients to actively participate in their care and make informed decisions.

Conclusion

Creating an ethical environment for nurses caring for chronically ill patients requires a collaborative and patient-centered approach. By fostering an ethical culture, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and providing adequate resources, healthcare organizations can support the ethical practice of nurses. Strategies such as patient education, shared decision-making, and the availability of ethical committees contribute to upholding patient rights, responsibilities, and informed consent. Registered nurses play a vital role in protecting patient rights by advocating for patient autonomy, ensuring informed consent, and providing patient education. Together, these efforts contribute to the provision of ethical and compassionate care for chronically ill patients.

References

Haddad, L. M. (2022, August 22). Nursing Ethical Considerations. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526054/ 

Bosch, B., & Mansell, H. (2015). Interprofessional collaboration in health care. Canadian Pharmacists Journal, 148(4), 176–179. https://doi.org/10.1177/1715163515588106 

Vaismoradi, M., Tella, S., Logan, P., Khakurel, J., & Vizcaya-Moreno, M. F. (2020). Nurses’ Adherence to Patient Safety Principles: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(6), 2028. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17062028 

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