ETHICO-LEGAL (HA)

• Ethics

  • is based on well-founded standards of right and wrong, certain rules provided by a social system, and rules of conduct
• Morals

  • refer to habits or behaviors with respect to what an individual believes is right or wrong
• Ethical principles

  • autonomy (right of self-determination)
  • rights (something to which one has a just claim)
  • beneficence (nursing care must be beneficial to the patient)
  • justice (principle of fairness)
  • nonmaleficence (fundamental agreement to "DO NO HARM")
  • fidelity (agreement to keep promises and commitments)
  • veracity (willingness to provide patients with facts)
• A code of ethics for nurses includes values like confidentiality, accuracy, privacy, and integrity, setting forth values, ethical principles, and ethical standards to which professionals aspire and by which their actions can be judged
• The Philippine Nursing Code of Ethics serves as an ethico-legal basis in the practice of the nursing profession in the Philippines
• Nursing students have roles and responsibilities that include respecting patient safety and well-being, recognizing limits of knowledge, skills, and judgment, and being accountable for the quality of care provided
• Students are not permitted to perform delegated medical acts, act as a witness under any circumstances, provide second signature/check for controlled drugs, or be left in sole charge of any patient
• Students are permitted to perform controlled acts authorized to nursing if they have been taught, have the knowledge, skill, and judgment, and are supervised by a member of the nursing staff or faculty
• Informed consent is defined as the patient's choice to have a treatment or procedure based on their full understanding of it, its benefits, risks, and alternatives
• Emancipated minors, married minors, those serving in the military, financially independent individuals, and mothers can sign informed consent
• Exceptions to informed consent include incapacitated patients, life-threatening emergencies with inadequate time to obtain consent, and voluntary waived consent
• The goal of informed consent

  • is mutual decision-making between professionals and patients over treatment options, applying to some independent practitioners and direct nursing care
• Informed consent

  • essential for ethical decision-making, safety, quality of care, legal compliance, hospital policy, and regulatory requirements
• ARTICLE 1 PREAMBLE – SEC. 1

  - Health is a fundamental right of every individual. The Filipino registered nurse believing in the worth and dignity of each human being, recognizes the primary responsibility to preserve health at all cost. This responsibility encompasses the promotion of health, prevention of illness, alleviation of suffering, and restoration of health. However, when the foregoing are not possible, assistance towards a peaceful death shall be his/her obligation.
•  ARTICLE II RN AND PPL SEC. 4

  - Values, customs, and spiritual beliefs held by individuals shall be respected.

  - Individual freedom to make rational and unconstrained decisions shall be respected.

  - Personal information acquired in the process of giving nursing care shall be held in strict confidence.
• SEC. 5 GUIDELINES TO BE OBSERVED: RNs MUST

  - Consider the individuality and totality of

  patients when they administer care.

  - Respect the spiritual beliefs and practices of

  patients regarding diet and treatment.

  - Uphold the rights of individuals.

  - Take into consideration the culture and values

  of patients in providing nursing care. However,

  in the event of conflicts, their welfare and safety must take precedence
•  ARTICLE III RNs & PRACTICE SEC. 6

  - Human life is inviolable.

  - Quality and excellence in the care of the

  patients are the goals of nursing practice.

  - Accurate documentation of actions and

  outcomes of delivered care is the hallmark of

  nursing accountability.