PHI FPX 3200 Assessment 5 Tonya’s Case: Ethics and Professional Codes

Student Name

Capella University

PHI FPX 3200 Ethics in Health Care

Prof. Name:

Date

Tonya’s Case: Ethics and Professional Codes

This paper will examine the professional codes of ethics relevant to the case study and their application. Additionally, I will elaborate on a health organization’s mission and value statements, assessing whether they align with my views on Tonya’s outcome. Finally, I will discuss the role of accrediting bodies and how their perspectives relate to my recommended treatments in this case study.

Health Care Ethics and Moral Theory

The ethical and moral principles that resonate within this case include Kantian moral theory and the principle of autonomy. The medical professionals caring for Tonya are collaborating to restore her to a state of normalcy. Their duty is to provide the best unbiased care to facilitate her recovery following her initial surgery. Although Kant’s theory has its limitations, the unpredictability of her cardiac arrest challenged the staff and altered their initial treatment plan. Despite unfavorable outcomes, their efforts were directed toward achieving the best possible result. Furthermore, ethically, the hospital must respect Tonya’s parents’ autonomy; their decision to keep their daughter on ventilation should be honored, even if medical personnel suggest otherwise. As Tonya is a minor, her parents are responsible for determining the best course of action for her care.

Professional Code of Ethics

The American College of Health Administrators (ACHA) has established four professional ethical expectations that all healthcare administrators must uphold. The ethical principle that supports my perspective emphasizes that providers must prioritize the welfare of all patients under their care (Thomason, 1992). Throughout Tonya’s treatment, her healthcare providers have implemented measures that demonstrate their commitment to her well-being. They provided immediate medical attention during her cardiac arrest, administered resuscitative services, and placed her on a ventilator, adhering to established protocols to ensure the highest quality of care.

Mission Statement and Values

The vision and mission statement of my current healthcare organization are centered around the SPIRIT values of the hospital system. Our mission is to deliver optimal Service, prioritize our Patients, uphold Integrity, treat each patient with Respect, embrace Innovative medical advancements, and foster Teamwork (MedStar Health, n.d.). Each of these values reinforces my decision to offer compassion, education, guidance, and a medically ethical approach, such as outpatient palliative care, which would benefit Tonya and her family.

Solution

I recommend that the hospital assign a grief counselor to provide support and emotional guidance to the family as they process Tonya’s current health status. Additionally, the hospital should emphasize with empathy that Tonya’s well-being is the organization’s primary concern. It is essential to clarify Tonya’s condition and the best course of action moving forward. While further medical interventions may prove futile and not alter the outcome, it is crucial to remain sensitive to the family’s decisions regarding Tonya’s care. If her family chooses to keep her on life support, the hospital’s care team should respect that decision and provide access to facilities that offer palliative services.

In cases where a final decision regarding care is required, hospitals often seek legal counsel to determine the best approach for the patient (Lang & Quill, 2004). A medical arbitrator or judge may intervene if legal conflicts arise between the patient’s family and medical professionals. Courts may recommend additional medical assessments to ensure that patient outcomes align with the primary diagnosis (Pope, 2017). In Tonya’s case, the hospital’s ethics committee recommended removing her from ventilation, believing it to be the best course of action. A notable case that garnered national attention involved Jahi McMath, a thirteen-year-old girl who was declared medically brain dead following complications from a tonsillectomy intended to treat pediatric obstructive sleep apnea. Her family disagreed with the doctors’ prognosis and refused to remove her from life support, leading to a legal battle that ultimately resulted in Jahi being released into her family’s custody. She remained in a coma for five years before passing away due to health complications (Truog, 2018).

Accrediting Body

Accrediting agencies, such as The Joint Commission (TJC), were established to provide guidelines on the health standards that should be upheld during patient care. TJC’s mission is to enhance healthcare for all by conducting thorough assessments of hospital systems every three years. TJC encourages health organizations to distinguish themselves by delivering exceptional and reliable care of the highest quality to all who seek it (Clancy, 2005). My judgment aligns with TJC’s principles; the hospital acted in accordance with TJC standards focused on improving Tonya’s health outcomes. Additionally, respecting the parents’ views regarding Tonya’s body and heart displaying signs of survival, while also offering outpatient palliative care services, allows them to process this unexpected situation and arrive at a decision when they feel ready.

Conclusion

Making the decision to remove a loved one from life support is an incredibly challenging choice. Healthcare personnel must exhibit qualities such as time, patience, and empathy as family members navigate the implications of their decision. It is essential to emphasize ethical and professional principles with a focus on the patient’s benefit and well-being. A sensitive approach is necessary to balance these principles, ensuring that family members have a clear understanding of the choices they are making.

References

Clancy, C. M. (2005). AHRQ quality and safety initiatives. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 31(6), 354–356. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1553-7250(05)31047-6

Lang, F., & Quill, T. (2004). Making decisions with families at the end of life. American Family Physician, 70(4), 719–723. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0815/p719.html

MedStar Health. (n.d.). MedStar Health mission and vision. Retrieved from https://www.medstarhealth.org/mhs/about-medstar/

Pope, T. M. (2017). Brain death forsaken: Growing conflict and new legal challenges. Journal of Legal Medicine, 37(3–4), 265–324. https://doi.org/10.1080/01947648.2017.1385041

Thomason, L. L. (1992). The results are in: ACHCA’s (American College of Health Care Administrators) 1992 membership survey. The Journal of Long Term Care Administration, 20(4), 9. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10125381