1. Write a case that is based on personal or professional experience that contains administrative and clinical ethics issues.
2. State the ethics issues present in the case;
3. Analyze the ethics issues using the moral philosophies.
4. Prepare solutions that will solve the ethical problems identified;
5. Suggest means by which similar ethical issues/problems would be prevented in the future.
ETHICAL CASE BEING ANALYZED
Oliver Harris is 82 years old and has been a resident at Five Oaks Nursing Home for 7 years. When he first sought admission, Harris had been evaluated and found to be only marginally in need of the care provided at Five Oaks. Because he was a private-pay patient, management decided to admit him. For 5 years his health was such that he needed minimal nursing care. In the sixth year, he began to show evidence of dementia. Medical evaluation found that he had experienced several small strokes. Harris likes to visit with other residents as he walks around the facility. His declining physical condition has resulted in several falls, which caused cuts and bruises but no broken bones.
Harris's case was discussed at a staff conference. It was the consensus to physically restrain him so that he could not ambulate independently. Under federal guidelines, this was possible only with an order from Harris's physician. Staff doubted the physician would agree, but they believed that if Harris continued to walk unassisted, it was only a matter of time before he fell and sustained a fracture. Staff also believed that even if his physician ordered restraints, Harris would fight them. When the issue was discussed with Harris, he was adamant that he not be restrained. His daughter, however, agreed that physical restraint was wise.