Question

Discuss why healthcare organizations have an ethical obligation to provide a safe environment. How do ethical principles support The Joint Commission’s standard requiring that all unanticipated outcomes of care be disclosed to patients.

Answer 1

In organisation that delivers health care services, they must work to safeguard and foster the rights, interests and prerogatives of patients or others served. The role of moral advocate requires that healthcare executives take actions necessary to promote such rights, interests and prerogatives.

The fundamental objectives of the healthcare management profession are to maintain or enhance the overall quality of life, dignity and well-being of every individual needing healthcare service and to create an equitable, accessible, effective and efficient healthcare system.

Reason of healthcare organizations have an  obligation to provide a safe environment.

i)Healthcare executives have an obligation to act in ways that will merit the trust, confidence and respect of healthcare professionals and the general public.

ii) Maintain competence and proficiency in healthcare management by implementing a personal program of assessment and continuing professional education.

iii) Enhance the dignity and image of the healthcare management profession through positive public information programs.

iv)Conduct both competitive and cooperative activities in ways that improve community healthcare services.

Supporting ethical principles toThe Joint Commission’s standard requiring that all unanticipated outcome of care be disclosed to patients

1.Multiple rationales support the disclosure of unanticipated outcomes to patients. From an ethical perspective, disclosure demonstrates respect for patient autonomy and supports informed decision making.

2. Disclosure of unanticipated
outcomes to patients after a procedure or intervention is a logical continuation of the informed consent discussion about
potential risks and benefits that takes place before care is delivered. Disclosure is also supported by the ethical obligation to be truthful with patients, even when the information about the unanticipated outcome does not have implications for the patients’ decision making.

3.Patients strongly support the disclosure of unantici-pated outcomes, especially those due to medical errors.Patients want to know about errors even when the harm is minor, and to be told the facts concerning the event; they want a full explanation and an apology.