Ethical Principles in Nursing

• Ethical principles are values that guide nurses in decision-making to promote patient well-being and resolve ethical dilemmas.
• These principles include looking beyond individual self-regard and human rights.
• They strive to maintain healthcare advancement and social justice.
• Ethical principles are also defined as a code of conduct for nurses.
• Conduct allows nurses to make sound and moral choices in patient care.
• Because nursing ethics evolve with the world and healthcare, nurses face complex human rights and ethical issues.
• The American Nurses Association developed its Code of Ethics for Nurses.
• The Code provides the standard for nursing practice.
• It serves as a social contract between nurses and the public.
• The contract helps people understand the commitment nurses make to providing safe, evidence-based, high-quality care.

Ethical Principles in Nursing

• Accountability
• Justice
• Nonmaleficence
• Autonomy
• Beneficence
• Fidelity
• Veracity

Accountability

• Accountability is essential among ethical principles in nursing.
• Each nurse is responsible for their choices and actions in patient care.
• Accountable nurses provide higher-quality patient care.
• They are more likely to build strong patient relationships through increased trust.
• Accountable nurses adhere to their scope of practice.
• Accountable nurses are appreciated by colleagues and patients.

Justice

• Justice plays an important role in nursing codes of ethics.
• Every nurse is responsible to make care decisions based only on facts.
• Decisions should not be made based on:
  • Age
  • Ethnicity
  • Religion
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Sexual orientation
• When nurses act as fair and impartial care givers to uphold justice ethical principles, patients often feel valued.
• Treating patients fairly, regardless of circumstances, helps them accept and participate in their own care.
• That, in turn, can lead to better patient outcomes.

Nonmaleficence

• Nonmaleficence means to do no harm.
• Nursing nonmaleficence means nurses have to prevent further harm.
• Each nurse must act to prevent harm.
• Nonmaleficence in nursing is essential for safe, effective patient care.
• Care should be delivered to the best of a nurse's ability.

Autonomy

• Nurses need to support patient autonomy while guided by medical practices and standards of care.
• Patients who can make their own decisions that go against nursing or medical expertise must be allowed to do so when they exercise this right by providing informed consent.

Beneficence

• Beneficence in nursing can be defined as the charity and kindness nurses offer.
• It is demonstrated through nurses' actions in a medical setting.
• Beneficence requires nurses to perform actions intended to benefit others with the patient's best interests in mind.
• To act with beneficence, each nurse must approach each patient as a unique individual with their own life circumstances, opinions, and experiences.
• They also must put aside their own personal feelings to provide care to the best of their abilities.

Fidelity

• Patients want to know they can count on nurses, no matter what.
• The fidelity ethical principle is best described by keeping your word to patients.
• Nurses should be honest and loyal to patients.
• Honesty and loyalty helps the nurse gain trust and fulfill their professional commitment.
• Without fidelity, less trust can be formed, leading to negative patient outcomes and mistrust in professional relationships.

Veracity

• Working in healthcare is challenging, so nurses must communicate unpleasant information to patients.
• Veracity in nursing is the ethical principle of being completely open and honest with patients, even if it causes distress.
• Being truthful can be daunting, but veracity is important for establishing trust.
• Veracity strengthens the nurse-patient relationship.
• It helps patients become more autonomous, making care decisions based on all relevant factual information.

Legal Foundations of Client Education: Informed Consent

• It is a legal obligation and an ethical principle.
• It is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions.
• Health educators must ensure that clients fully understand the information provided.
• They must also agree to participate in educational activities.
• Clients also have the right to withdraw consent at any time without penalty.
• Informed consent should be documented in writing, especially in cases that involve treatments or interventions that could have legal consequences.

Patient Rights and Consumer Protection Laws

• Patient Bill of Rights: Many countries have legal frameworks that outline the rights of patients.
• The rights outlined include the right to receive education about their conditions and treatment options.
• The frameworks also include the right to make autonomous decisions regarding care.
• Consumer Protection: Health education interventions must comply with consumer protection laws.
• The laws ensure that information provided to clients is truthful, not misleading or exploitative.

Non-Discrimination Laws

• Equal Access: Legal foundations require that health educators provide services without discrimination.
• Discrimination is prohibited based on:
  • Race
  • Ethnicity
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Disability
  • Other protected characteristics
• Laws mandate equal access to health education resources and services for people with disabilities.
• Accommodations: Health educators may need to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities (e.g., providing materials in Braille or sign language interpretation).

Confidentiality and Privacy Laws

• Health Information Privacy: Health educators must comply with laws that protect client health information
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the U.S. protects client health information.
• These laws ensure personal health data is not disclosed without consent and that clients' privacy is upheld.
• Data Security: When collecting personal health information for educational purposes, health educators are legally required to secure that data and ensure it is not exposed to unauthorized parties.

Mandatory Reporting Laws

• Duty to Report: Health educators may be required to report information that poses a risk to clients or others under certain circumstances.
• This typically applies to cases of:
  • Abuse
  • Neglect
  • Imminent harm (e.g., suicidal ideation, child abuse).
• Balancing Ethics and Law: Health educators must be aware of legal exceptions and key ethical principles.
• Mandatory reporting laws override confidentiality.

Legal Liability

• Professional Accountability: Health educators may be held legally responsible if their educational practices cause harm due to negligence or failure to meet established professional standards.
• Providing incorrect or misleading health advice could result in legal action or professional sanctions.
• Insurance and Risk Management: Health educators and organizations providing education services often carry liability insurance to protect against potential legal claims.
• Good documentation of all client interactions is important.

Integrating Ethical and Legal Foundations in Client Education

• Cultural Sensitivity: Offer language translations, respecting cultural norms, and avoiding discrimination.
• Client-Centered Approach: Place the client's needs, preferences, and values at the center of the education process.