The Code Of Ethics For Nursing Professionals In Australia - Samples

Question: Discuss about the Code Of Ethics For Nursing Professionals In Australia. Answer: Introduction The code of ethics for nursing professionals in Australia is a guideline that helps to provide a framework to the healthcare professionals to comply with the United Nations human rights and social and cultural rights (Storch et al., 2013). In this assignment, relating with the given case study, ethical principles for physical restraining the patients will be discussed. Further alternative ways to eliminate the physical restrain from the process of patient control will be discussed in this section. Ethical principles The ethicalccode of nursing practice is an important guideline for practice as it helps to uphold the patients dignity, respect, and helps to promote the fundamental rights of them while receiving care in the healthcare facility (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), 2008). Further, in the fundamental rights, the right ofnursing professionals is also taken care of. According to the case study, while working in the emergency department of the hospital where all the beds are occupied by critically ill patients, it is challenging to take equal care of each patient. Further, a situation arises where while collecting sample from Mrs. Stock. Mr. Bogg started yelling, creating chaos in the ED. RN moss and RN Pine and I were busy collecting samples (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), 2008). Therefore, physical restrain was the only option available to calm the patients. However, according to the code of ethics nurses should value respect and kindness for their patien ts and others. Moreover, according to the code of ethics, if any trait of a patient seems harmful for other patients staying in the same ward, it is the responsibility of the nursing professionals to calm the patient. According to Cadore et al., (2014), using physical restrain for the benefit of the patient is allowed if it helps to provide security to other patients staying at the same ward. Nurses responsibilities The situation presented in the case study was difficult to maintain as both the patients, who had become vulnerable. Care was being administered since they were critically ill and unable to remain stable on their own. Mrs. Stock had symptoms of urinary infection whereas Mr. Bogg had head injury and intoxication. Therefore, they both required nursing assistance. However, while taking sample of mid-stream urination of Mrs. Stock, RN pine, RN moss and I moss were busy holding Mrs. Stock when Mr. Bogg started yelling due to intoxication and needed intravenous sedation. According to nursing ethics, we should provide healthcare treatment to patient in need. In situations like this, it was our duty to manage the situation through information. This enables one to create a healthy and sustainable environment for patient growth (Lachman, 2012). Hence, physical restrain of Mr. Bogg was important so that we can collect sample from Mrs. Stock and start her medical treatment. However, we also main tained the ethical value and respect of other patient present in the ED ward. If physical restrain was not applied, Mr. Bogg could have harmed other patients too. We practiced kindness and were committed to our duties towards Mrs. Stock and other patients according to the nursing ethics value statement 2 (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), 2008). However, this practice of physical restrain should have been replaced with other acts so that ethical code two, stating valuing and respecting each patient can be followed. Strategies In the nursing practice, there are five type of patient restraints used including physical, chemical, mechanical, technological and psychological restraints. Physical restrain involves one or more medical personnel holding a patient back and limiting his or her movements. Mechanical restrain involve using objects to limit the movement of a patient like placing chairs across a hall way or locking doors. Psychological/ technological restrain involves limiting the tools that enable a patient to do an act whereas chemical restrain involves use of chemicals like medicines to calm a patient down. Its mostly used on patients with mental problems. These restraints are not a solution. However, this can help the nursing professions to calm and control patients so that sustainable healthcare environment can be maintained (Lachman, 2012). In the given case study we used physical restrain to control the patient however using mechanical restrain could have been a better replacement. Further it wou ld have helped the professional to comply with the nursing code of ethics. An example includes using a Posey Vest with a zip at the back and clothes tied to each side of it, so that patients hand and legs can be moved freely. It is useful as it helps to restrict the patient from moving and does not apply any physical restrain (Ludwick, OToole Meehan, 2012). According to the principles for protection of people, physical restrain or involuntary seclusion of a patient should not employed except with accordance with the official approved procedures of a health facility, in the event that a patient poses imminent harm to him/herself or others . Similarly, it should not be extended beyond the necessary period of the purpose and should be recorded on the patients medical records. A patient is supposed to be secluded under close and regular supervision, and kept under humane conditions by qualified staff. This is according to the human rights act of 1988. The absence of a clinical supervisor in the event that led to the physical restrain employed on Mr. Bogg made the issue more of a legal matter, as that restricted the liberty of the patient. While they were ethically correct in considering the safety of the other patients, they were wrong in overlooking the hospital policies and acting on their own accord (Ludwick, OToole Meehan, 2012). Having another health professional/family member present can make a difference? Conclusion As a nursing professional, provide care to each individual equally is the prime aspect of care. However, while practicing this, each nursing professional faces several difficulties. In this assignment, such difficulty of nursing professional were discussed with example of a ED ward scenario, where two vulnerable patients had to provided nursing assistance at the same time. Further, the assignment discussed the ethical ground using which the physical restrain was used to calm a patient. Furthermore, usage of other restrain techniques to control the patient was also discussed. Law; there are some way too long sentences in ethical principles. You need to read them aloud and cut them back. the structure isnt right Never say me and so and so. Its always so and so and myself. Code of Ethics should be capitalised Make sure you mention the legalities of using physical restraint. They have to have a written medical order, regularly assessed for the continuing need and observations for undue distress. References Cadore, E. L., Moneo, A. B. B., Mensat, M. M., Muoz, A. R., Casas-Herrero, A., Rodriguez-Maas, L., Izquierdo, M. (2014). Positive effects of resistance training in frail elderly patients with dementia after long-term physical restraint.Age,36(2), 801-811. Lachman, V. D. (2013). Applying the ethics of care to your nursing practice.Medsurg Nursing,21(2), 112. Ludwick, R., OToole, R., Meehan, A. (2015). Restraints or alternatives: safety work in care of older persons.International journal of older people nursing,7(1), 11-19. Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). (2008).The code of ethics for nurses in Australia. Retrieved from https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards.aspx. Statements/Professional-statements/Professional-standards.aspx. Retrieved 23 March 2018, from https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-standards.aspx Storch, J., Makaroff, K. S., Pauly, B., Newton, L. (2013). Take me to my leader: the importance of ethical leadership among formal nurse leaders.Nursing ethics,20(2), 150-157.