Question

Anytown Hospital has an outstanding reputation for surgical services. The operating room supervi- sor and a surgical nurse told Bob Wright, the CEO, that Dr. Flipton, an anesthesiologist, was abusing the use of anesthesia gases in the hospital’s dental suite. He was reportedly seen by operating staff testing “laughing gas” by holding a mask against his face for short periods of time. This scene would be followed by a string of silly, seemingly meaningless jokes. Bob has repeatedly discussed this matter with the medical executive committee. The medical executive committee refuses to take any action without definitive action by the department chair. Bob suspects that if he pursues the matter further with the governing board, he could end up without a job. The governing body is generally unable to resolve disciplinary actions against a physician without support of the medical executive committee.

What do you believe the ethical issues are for Bob knowing that doing the right thing and job survival could be in conflict? Which of the following would you do if you were in Bob’s position, with two children in college and hefty mortgage payments? Explain your answer in detail.

Answer 1

I believe Bob faces many ethical and or legal issues in this situation. As the CEO of Anytown Hospital, it is Bob’s obligation to provide the overall direction of the hospital within the boundaries of the board of directors and in this instance the governing board. As CEO, Bob is responsible for providing the best quality of patient care; hiring and retaining qualified staff; safeguard required compliance with State, Federal and CMS regulations as well as hospital policies; and setting and following standards for operational excellence. According to corporate ethics commitment to organizational excellence begin with the organization’s leadership. The first ethical issue Bob faces is one of mitigating risk/risk management. If Bob disagrees with the governing body’s decision not to move forward and patients ultimately suffer at the hands of Dr. Flipton, Bob could be held personally liable. Also, “Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, a healthcare facility can be liable for an employee’s negligent acts” Corporate negligence is another issue facing Bob. Corporate negligence is a legal issue, a doctrine whereby hospitals are liable if it fails to uphold the proper standard of care owed to the patient.

Bob has an obligation to adhere to the professional ethics or codes of conduct established by specific professions. Personally, Bob may struggle with several of the pillars of moral strength e.g., courage, having the courage to stand up in the face of fear of losing his job;

Conscientiousness, doing what is considered right; and Integrity, sticking to what you believe in and being committed to those morals and ethics.