I’m working on a nursing discussion question and need support to help me learn.
Case Scenario:
Two
nurses, Vicki, RN, and Cindy, RN, say they were just trying to protect patients
when they anonymously reported their concerns last November to the Department
of Health and to the Joint commission. The RNs believed that the 140-bed
hospital that they work for was not living up to ethical practice standards.
The report given by the RN’s indicated Ms. Anderson, one of three quality
review coordinators working for the quality department in the hospital,
improperly encouraged clinical mangers to change patient safety data at the
Sunny Valley Medical Center.
By
encouraging the data changes to misrepresent what was truly happening, Ms.
Anderson actions affected an important decision regarding a patient safety
issue. Moreover, the county attorney’s office indicted Ms. Anderson on
“misuse of official information,” a third-degree felony that carries
potential penalties of 2-10 years’ in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
Vicki
and Cindy, both long-time nurses at the facility, were fired from their positions
and were subsequently arrested last December, just five days past the 60-day
window that could have been part of the defense to prove retaliation. The two
nurses are free on bond of $5,000 each.
The
Department of Health attorney sent a letter to the hospital attorneys stating
that it is improper to criminally prosecute people for raising complaints with
the board; that the complaints were confidential and not subject to subpoena;
that the Department of Health is exempt from federal HIPAA law; and that, on
the contrary, the board depends on reporting from healthcare professionals to
carry out its duty of protecting the public from improper practitioners.
Please
discuss ethical considerations in Vicki’s and Cindy’s behavior. Justify your
answer.
Describe
the various ethical, legal, and interpersonal conflicts that exist in this
case.
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