Question

Case study 2

Henry works for a large metropolitan health service as a (HCP) physiotherapist and specialises in respiratory physical therapies for Intensive care patients post intubation. Over the last month Henry has explored his options of continuing to work due to the prevailing risks associated with COVID 19.Henry has sought counsel from his friends in relation to the issues of him working whilst he is also a parent with his wife Catherine and 2 children Josie 5 and Declan who is 11. Henry has a few thoughts and options to explore, and these include taking his long service leave for the next 8 weeks. Taking leave without pay for a period of six months. Henrys central concern is around protecting his children and wife from being infected with COVID 19 as the risks of workplace exposure are very real. Henry finds himself in conflict with his duty of care and worries about his family should he continue to work. He discusses his quandary with his line manager, who suggests that should he contract this illness he will be supported by the health facility and that he should secure accommodation away from his family whilst he works. Over the past week Henry has become even more distressed with having to work with the ICU team to decide how they ration the beds available to them and how they prioritise who receives care in their unit of 10 beds.

Related to this case study now analyses and apply ethical concepts, principles and professional standards.

Answer 1

ETHICAL CONCEPTS:

It is good that Henry concerns about his wife and two chlidren.But as his profession is not only a profession it is also a service given to the patients who suffers in the death bed and in infected condition hoping to get well soon. He should also concern about his profession which many people dependent upon for reviving their life.Humanity is more imporatant than anything. At the same time he must also be concerned about his family and maintain quarantine after he returns from work.Thus, both personal and professional life of Henry is secured.

PRINCIPLES:

-Before treating a patient he should sanitize himself in the way that the whole body of Henry is cleaned and sanitized after bathing.

-Wearing both mask and face shield protects from respiratory entry of the virus or other pathogens.

-As Physiotherapy involves physical touch between the patient and the physiotherapist ,after treating a patient with physiotherapy he must sanitize himself before treating the next one.

-Maintain the patients comfortable zone,which is mandatory for their cure.

-After work time, before leaving the clinic or hospital he must sanitize himself.

-When he reaches home ,he should sanitize himself and should be in quarantine or he must completely stay away from his family which far better than house quarantine. He must be quaratined in staff quarantine rooms which provided in every hospitals,clinics and health service centres.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

STAY UPDATED-Ensure that you are updated on current COVID-19 guidance. The WHO and CDC are providing guidelines for the physiotherapist and clinicians as they are the one who have direct contact with the patients.Checking out the local authority guidelines are also mandatory.

STAY RESPONSIBLE-Have an objective that staff and patients may look at you as a leader to provide information help them to overcome the crisis.

MINIMISE YOUR EXPOSURE-Have an review of IPC(Infection Prevention and Control) guidelines,implement tritage strategies and learn to compensate urgent and non uregent cases.Regular interval of check ups should be done to the staffs who treats COVID positive patients.

GET EDUCATED-All staff and clinicians should be trained in COVID-19 related strategies and procedures.Arrange a separate session to update all your colleagues to maintain sanitization.