Ethical_Healthcare_Issues_Paper

There are many ethical health care issues that are currently affecting our society. One of the current health care issues that are affecting our society is blood transfusion, the ability to receive medical treatment. Many issues within blood transfusions make it an ethical issue, affecting our society because it enables patients to receive blood transfusions in many situations. Many reasons behind blood transfusions are done for injury, major surgeries, and related blood disorders. Blood transfusion is a medical treatment that replaces blood loss during serious injuries, surgery, disease, lack of blood due to blood disorders and illness (Torphy, 2012). Blood donated comes from another person and used for transfusions. Patients who have illnesses and common blood disorders are highly recommended to have blood transfusions to replace missing blood and to help treat the disease. Blood transfusion transfers 40,000 units of blood using blood transfusion daily (Torphy, 2012). Transfusions are very safe and used often. With blood transfusions, risks can occur when hemolytic transfusion reaction to blood given not compatible with the patient’s blood type (Torphy, 2012). Fever and chills could occur after receiving blood and immune reaction can occur as well. Furthermore, we will discuss the importance of blood transfusion and reasons why it is a current ethical health care issue. The four major ethic principles will be used to evaluate and apply reasons to this issue. Procedure for Blood Transfusions The procedure for blood transfusion is completed in various steps. To prepare for transfusion, white blood cells are removed to reduce allergic reactions in patients (Torphy, 2012). By inserting a small needle used to insert IV’s into a blood vessel, through the line, where blood passes through to the patient. Depending on how much blood is needed, the procedure can last one to four hours. During transfusion, a nurse monitors any signs or reaction. Transfusion may be discontinued if severe reactions occur. After a blood transfusion, vital signs are checked to see any abnormality or reactions, and IV is removed. After blood has been collected from donor, blood is transferred to blood banks where screening is done for any infectious disease, blood type, count, and any harmful reactions. Blood types include A, B, AB, or O. Blood transfusion must match patient’s blood type, if it does not, antibodies can attack new blood causing patients to become ill. Blood transfusions are done 5 million Americans each year with little complications and rare issues (Torphy, 2012). Ethical Principles and Issues Surrounding Blood Transfusions Ethical principles in healthcare interrelate and supplement each other in one way of another. Purpose of ethical principles is to provide quality care and respect patient’s wishes and make sure not to act against morals. To accomplish this, there are many ethical principles that can assist in health care. Autonomy The Principle of Autonomy is the freedom to determine one’s action with their own. The actions determines by a person’s independent stance and ability to think (Morrison, 2011). Healthcare providers need to respect patients who may not want any treatment that go against morals and values. Legal and ethical framework considering the development guidelines for transfusion of blood in adults and children apply to ethical principles should have informed consent (Grainger, 1997). It is unethical to precede any blood transfusions without consent, information, and respecting patient’s rights. Physicians and nurses should obtain patients informed consent before procedure. By doing so, explanations of benefits, and risks receiving blood products are also relevant during consent process. Consent must be informed so the patient can understand the procedure, risks and any alternative treatments needed if blood transfusions does not work. Generally, there are incidents where consent was not given, nor information provided before proceeding blood transfusions. That violates the ethical principle of autonomy because patients are not given the right to consent voluntarily. Generally, if the patient can understand the information relevant to making the decision, retain information as part of decision process, and communicate when patient has capacity to do so (Desborough, 2013). If the patient wishes not to be treated with blood, wishes need to be respected even if results are morbidity or mortality. Nonmaleficence and Beneficence Second and third ethical principle in healthcare applies to this health care issue for well-being of patients. Nonmaleficence is the act of both ethical and legal practices of healthcare where healthcare providers have the duty to provide care to avoid harming patients (Morrison, 2011). It is the balance against harm and greater benefit to ensure ethics. This also means that healthcare providers must take precautions to use appropriate treatment with least amount of pain and harm to patients. Beneficence is similar to nonmaleficence because it concern for others and compassion. Patients are put above over anything else. Those two principles relate to one another as it concerns for their comfort and practice of patients. Making sure that patients have least harm and showing concern for them. To keep the safety and well-being of patients from any harm, ethical concern surrounding the use of blood transfusion, and products is that of risks. Patients have fear that by receiving blood transfusions they can catch any virus or disease. Patients are worried about catching HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and any other types of diseases. Risks of getting those diseases are lower risks of getting killed by lighting. One in two million donations carry any form of HIV or disease (Grainger, 1997). Physicians need to understand patient’s point of view and any fears associated before transfusion. Ethical and legal duties in response to reporting any transfusion reactions need to ensure beneficence and nonmaleficence by using evidence-based practice (Desborough, 2013). Doctors have legal and ethical obligations to report any misinterpret events from blood transfusions. To ensure little harm as possible toward patients in blood transfusions, all clinicians need to report any issues and reactions that could cause harm to patients. Many blood transfusion laboratories are regulated by a number of clinical companies. Safety and quality regulations cover quality management, training, adverse event, and any reaction reporting of blood in hospitals overseen by Regulatory agencies. Any unethical manners not reporting full results of transfusions, agency has the power to close down transfusion laboratories that do not meet standards. Justice The last ethical principle applies to this issue referring to the equality and fairness for everyone involved within blood transfusions. Justice is to practice the balance and aspect of respect to everything, including patient’s rights (Morrison, 2011). This includes religion of ethics, fairness to cultural competence, and values. Our society’s religious backgrounds lends to making blood transfusions an ethical issue. Patients such as Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian group who do not accept any form of blood transfusions. Things to consider when providing care for these patients is to include consent forms and a discussions of alternative to transfusion. Ethically, this will make an alternative management plan and prepare for any emergencies and unexpected situations of blood loss. This will avoid acting on against religious ideals and patients have rights to refuse any treatment that go against their morals. Their ability to choose what they want on their values and beliefs must be respected. Health care providers also need to protect privacy of patients and their confidentiality when choosing a healthcare procedure (Desborough, 2013). Conclusion It is difficult to reduce legal and ethical guidelines when it comes to blood transfusions, making it an ethical issue. But one thing important to understand is everyone has their right to consent, respect of religious views, and moral obligations. It fails to convey the fact of ethical complexity in a health care interaction and potential clash of ethical values, making blood transfusion an issue that can occur in a diverse society. With principles given will help manage the way things are being operated and respecting people. References Desborough, M., & Murphy, M. (2013). Legal and ethical issues in blood transfusion. British Journal Of Hospital Medicine (London, England: 2005). 74(1). C2-C4 Grainger, B., Margolese, E., & Partington, E. (1997). Legal and ethical considerations in blood transfusion. Canadian Medical Association.Journal, 156(11), 0-Insert. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/204808799'accountid=35812 Morrison, E. E. (2011). Ethics in health administration: A practical approach for decision makers (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Torpy, J. M., M.D., & Lynm, C. (2012). Blood transfusion. JAMA, 307(22), 2448. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com/docview/1022965435'accountid=35812