Question

1- Discuss how the statement “First do no harm” impacts your chosen profession.

Read the following case study and answer the questions given:

Tony, a 91- year-old veteran of World War II, has lived in a big city all of his life and has used Veterans Administration (VA) facilities for health care that are free under his VA coverage. He also has a small residence in another nearby state where he spends weekends. One weekend, while in this nearby state, Tony fell and cut his arm and hit his head. A neighbor applied a pressure dressing to his bleeding arm and then took him to a nearby emergency room. The ER started an IV and sutured the cut on his arm. The ER also administered an EKG, which detected a heart problem. Tony was then admitted to the hospital. When she returned home, the neighbor who had taken Tony to the hospital noticed that she had blood on her clothing.

When the neighbor visited Tony the next day in the hospital, she found that he was on isolation and all visitors had to wear gowns and masks. She asked the nurse why he was on isolation. The nurse asked for, and Tony gave, permission to discuss his situation with the neighbor The nurse then told the neighbor that Tony had tested positive for MRSA.

1. Did the nurse do anything wrong by telling the neighbor about Tony’s condition since the patient gave his permission?
2. Should the ER nurse have cautioned the neighbor about the possibility of MRSA if she saw the blood on the neighbor’s clothing?

Answer 1

Did the nurse do anything wrong by telling the neighbor about Tony's condition since the patient gave his permission?

We should practice confidentiality in our profession. It is the right of the patient. Professionals shouldn't share personal details about the patient with others unless and until the patient has permitted or it's necessary. Ethically it is not right to share anything regarding a patient's health condition. But as Tony permitted to share his information with his neighbor, you can do so. So, the nurse did nothing wrong.

Another reason the nurse should share about Tony's condition to the neighbor because the patient is suffering from a contagious disease(MRSA). To keep the neighborhood safe from getting an infection, the nurse should explain Tony's disease and measures to be followed while meeting Tony.

Should the ER nurse have cautioned the neighbor about the possibility of MRSA if she saw the blood on the neighbor's clothing?

Blood can be a source of infection if your clothes got stained by anyone's blood. Even though if the patient's disease is not contagious, it is advisable to disinfect stained clothes. So, it is mandatory to caution the neighbor by the ER nurse as Tony is suffering from contagious infection MRSA.

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