b'CAREER GUIDE|PUTTING ETHICS INTO PRACTICE care. Consider the patient we discussed earlierAn example would be explaining a proce-This all seems pretty basic. Most of us werewho had pressure ulcers. He has a providerdure to a patient fully. Discussing the risks, drawn into healthcare jobs because we wantedwho writes orders, a unit clerk who processesrecovery time, and answering all questions to help others. As we already discussed, some- the orders, an RN who carries out the orders.before the patient signs the consent for the times the lines can get a little blurry, especiallyA pharmacist transcribes medication ordersprocedure is important; this ensures that the because we come from different backgroundsand allows the RN and LPN to dispense thepatient has informed consent.and cultures. We have different values. I maymedications. A physical therapist receives a believe that I am performing care ethically,referral for physical therapy. A wound careTHE BOTTOM LINEwhile someone else may disagree due to theirnurse receives a referral to assess the pressureAs healthcare workers, it is important to act own values. ulcers. A dietitian receives a referral due to hisethically. It is also important to refresh our-Current hot-button issues are confidential- wounds. All these people review his chart inselves on the definition of ethical principles ity and informed consent. the course of several hours. All are trusted toperiodically.nConfidentiality is a moral obligation tokeep his information confidential.protect from dissemination any and all per- Informed consent stems from the prin- RESOURCESsonal information, of any type, that has beenciple of autonomy, expanding on this prin- 1.Healthcare ethics in modern medicine.obtained on the patient by any and all healthciple. Informed consent is intended to be(2019 August 20). Retrieved March 19, care professionals at any medical facility. not only a moral but also a legal safeguard2020, from Western Governors University To put this simply, as healthcare workers wefor the respect of the patients autonomy.website: https://www.wgu.edu/blog/are not to disclose any personal informationFurthermore, informed consent is designedhealthcare-ethics-modern-medicine1908.unless consent has been obtained, or there isto promote the welfare of the patient (that is,htmla risk to the patients (or someone elses) life. to ensure the patients right to beneficence)2.Taylor, S. (n.d.). Health care ethics.Confidentiality can be difficult in a hospi- and to avoid the causing of any harm to theRetrieved March 19, 2020, from Internet tal. Any number of people have access to thepatient (that is, to ensure the patients right toEncyclopedia of Ethics website: https://patients chart because they are involved in thenon-maleficence). www.iep.utm.edu/h-c-ethi/14 ELITEHEALTH GUIDE|2019| www.elitecme.com'