Ethico-Legal Aspects in Nursing

Ethico-Legal Aspects in Nursing

• Nursing ethics are principles that guide nursing practice to ensure patients' dignity, respect, and well-being.

Core Ethical Principles

• Autonomy means respecting patients' rights to make decisions.
• Beneficence means promoting the patient's best interests.
• Non-Maleficence refers to avoiding harm to patients.
• Justice refers to ensuring fairness and equality in care.
• Confidentiality means safeguarding patient information.
• Veracity means being truthful with patients.
• Fidelity means keeping commitments and being loyal to patients, ensuring trustworthiness in nursing practice.

Legal Aspects in the Practice of Nursing

• The Nursing Practice Act defines the scope and standards of nursing practice.
• Patient Rights include legal obligations to respect patient autonomy and informed consent.

Negligence and Malpractice

• Negligence is the failure to take proper care in nursing duties.
• Malpractice is professional misconduct resulting in harm to the patient.
• Documentation involves accurate and thorough record-keeping to protect against legal issues.

The Philippine Nursing Act of 2002 (RA 9173)

• The scope of practice includes defined duties of nurses and roles and responsibilities.
• Licensing and registration includes requirements for practicing nursing in the Philippines.

Regulatory Bodies

• The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) is a nursing regulatory body.
• The Board of Nursing supervises and regulates the nursing profession.

Related Laws Affecting the Practice of Nursing

• Republic Act is an act passed by the Congress of the Philippines.
• Republic Act 3573 is the Law on reporting of Communicable Diseases.
• Republic Act 5901 concerns 40 hours of work for hospital workers.
• Republic Act 6425 is the Dangerous Drug Act of 1992.
• Republic Act 6675 is the Generics Act of 1988.
• Republic Act 7160 is the Local Government Code.
• Republic Act 7305 is The Magna Carta of Public Health Workers.
• Republic Act 7600 is the Rooming In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992.
• Republic Act 8423 covers the Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine.
• Republic Act 8749 is The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999.
• Republic Act 9173 is the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002.
• Republic Act 9288 is the Newborn Screening Act.
• Presidential Decree is an order of the President with power to act as legislators during the Marshall Law period.
• Presidential Decree 46 punishes public officials or employees for receiving gifts.
• Presidential Decree 166 strengthens the Family Planning program.
• Presidential Decree 491 concerns the Nutrition Program.
• Presidential Decree 651 requires the registration of all births and deaths 30 days after delivery.
• Presidential Decree 856 is the Code of Sanitation.
• Presidential Decree 996 provides compulsory basic immunization for children and infants below 8 years of age.
• Proclamation is an official declaration by the Chief Executive/ Office of the President of the Philippines.
• Proclamation No.6 relates to the UN's goal of Universal Child Immunization.
• Proclamation No. 499 is National AIDS Awareness Day.
• Proclamation No. 539 is Nurse's Week, which occurs every third week of October.
• Letter of Instruction is an order issued by the President.
• LOI 47 directs all schools of medicine, nursing, midwifery and allied medical professions and social work to prepare and implement integration of family planning in their curriculum to require graduates to take the licensing examination.
• LOI 949 states that health and health-related activities must be integrated with other activities of the overall national development program, Primary Health Care.
• LOI 1000 states that government agencies should give preference to members of the accredited professional organization when hiring.
• Executive Order is an order issued by the executive branch of the government.
• Executive Order 51 is The Milk Code.
• Executive Order 174 is the National Drug Policy on Availability, Affordability, Safe, Effective and Good Quality drugs to all.
• Executive Order 209 is The Family Code (amended by RA 6809).

Continuing Education for Nurses

• Continuing education is important for nurses to keep their skills and knowledge up-to-date.
• PRC Requirements include CPD Units: Continuing Professional Development requirements for license renewal.
• Opportunities for continuing education include seminars, workshops, online courses, and specialized training programs.

Professional Organizations of Nursing

• The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) is the national organization representing Filipino nurses.
• The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a global federation of national nurses associations.
• Specialized Nursing Organizations include the Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines (ORNAP) and the Critical Care Nurses Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CCNAPI).