In: Nursing
You are supporting Peter who has a mid-disability and comes from a Muslim background. Peter’s mother wants to give you a cake to say thank for all your help.
a. What is the ethical issue in this situation?
b. How would you respond to the Mother?
c. Who would you ask to find the organisation policy and procedures on receiving gifts?
d. In what ways could you keep up your knowledge of policies and procedures such as these?
a. Ethical issue in the situation
Ethics are the standards that govern the conduct of a person , especially a member of a profession. Ethical issues occurs , when the activity or decision or a scenario creates a conflict with moral or ethical principles. 'Wheather to accept the gift or to reject it ' is the conflict of the situation . Health care professionals should keep the Professional boundaries and are not allowed to recieve gifts or bribes from the patient and the family. Gift receiving may become an act of ' Boundary violation'. In case of rejection of Gift 'Peter's mother may feel bad ' that is opposite side of the situation.
b. I will tell her " I appreciate your greatfullnes Mrs .X , but as per the organizational policy and the professional ethics, I should not receive any kind of gift from patient's side. But I respect your thankfulness and I can enquire with my supervisor, if you agree , regarding the same ' to use the gift as for the department as whole'.
c. Enquiry can be made with the senior in - charge/ supervisor or to the manager of the organisation.
d. ( I ) can keep up my knowledge of policies and procedures by reviewing the informational booklet for employees , which describes the job description and organizational policies. Also by attending the staff training session and enquiring with supervisors.
Many organisations allow the staff to recieve cards , cakes and chocolates and flowers from client on the day of discharge and the same should be reported to the in charge person. Most organisations are not allowing the staff to recieve the monetary gifts or costly things from clients.