ethical aspects in critical care nursing

critical care nursing

1. ETHICAL ASPECT OF CRITICAL CARE NURSING

2. ETHICS AND CRITICAL CARE NURSING Ethics refers to a set of moral principle The values of autonomy, advocacy and accountability are important in critical care nursing

3. ADVOCACY The role of an advocate is to assert patient’s choices or desires There are three models of advocacy Right protection model Value based decision model Respect for persons model

4. AUTONOMY Autonomy refers to the ability to make decisions by self An autonomous decision is one that is based on the decision makers values, utilizes adequate information and understanding and is free from coercion or restraint and is based on reason and deliberation Advanced directives help client to have autonomy in treatment Two forms of advanced directives are – living will and durable power of attorney for health care

5. ACCOUNTABILITY Refers to being answerable to what is being done It’s viewed as a superior moral standard in nursing practice

6. FUTILE THERAPY – ETHICAL CONTROVERSIES Futility means useless intervention Futility arises in the following situations Burdens of treatment outweighing the benefits Undesirable quality of life Death is imminent Patient or significant other refuses or demand life saving treatment Effectiveness of treatment is questioned Resources are limited by way of finance or personnel

7. One important ethical issue related to futile therapy is regarding withholding and withdrawing treatment

8. THANK…..U