Code of Ethics

Concept of Ethics

The word ethics is the derivative of the Greek word "ethos," which refers to "character." According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary ethics is "the science of moral duty or the science of ideal human character." Beauchamp (2001) viewed it as "a generic term for various ways of understanding and examining the moral life." Ethics is what is good or valuable for all people. Values form conduct, or the behavior of a person and values reflect the ethics that a person follows in his personal, societal, and professional life.

Definitions

Code-

• "A Code may be defined as conventionalized set of rules or expectations devised for a specific purpose"

Ethnics-

• A system of rules or principles that are used to guide human behavior."

Code of Ethics-

• "A code of ethics is a formal statement of groups ideals and values."

Purposes-

• Standards for the behaviours of nurse and provide general guidelines for nursing action
• Helps to distiguish between rights and wrong
• Protect the rights of individual.
• Enables a correct decision

Uses-

• Acknowledges the rightful place of individuals in health care delivery system
• Contributes towards empowerment of individuals to become responsible for their health and well-being
• Contributes to quality care
• Identifies obligations in practice, research and relationships
• Informs the individuals, families, community and other professionals about expectations of a nurse

Principles-based Ethics

Principles-based ethics is a systematic method of resolving ethical problems that involve reflection on general principles of ethics.

1. Autonomy- 

Autonomy means control of people over their lives by their lifestyle. It refers to a person's independence, self-determination, and self-reliance. by Autonomy provides a scope in nursing to display respect for all persons and support the patient's right to informed consent.

2. Informed consent-

 Informed consent is the derivative of the concept of autonomy. A patient must get an adequate amount of information about his or her health condition, and he or she is free to decide about his or her treatment. Typically, informed consent involves informing the patient (or relative) about the recommended procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives.

3. Justice-

 The justice principle states that ethical theories should prescribe actions that are fair to those involved. Justice means fairness or equity in dealing. It can be ensured by providing nursing care to all the patients and as per priority based on clients at greater risk.

4. Beneficence-

 The principle of beneficence ethics directs what to do and what is good and avoids harm. It also states that we should attempt to generate the largest ratio of good over evil possible in the world.

5. Nonmaleficence/Do no harm-

 It deals with situations in which none of the choices is beneficial. In this situation, a person should choose to do the least harm possible and to do harm to the fewest people. The dichotomy between the beneficence and nonmaleficence principles is the foundation for "risk/ benefit" analysis.

6. Fidelity-

 Fidelity means faithfulness, i.e. striving to keep promises. According to this principle, a person should fulfill his or her duties and obligations honestly.  

7. Veracity-

 It means to tell the truth. Be honest with the patients, families, and peers. Nurses need to be honest while giving dealing with the patients and their family members.

8. Accountability-

 It is the process in which individuals are answerable for their action and have the obligation(duty) to act.The nurses are also bound by professional codes to be accountable to them, clients and their families, the nursing profession, employers, and to the general public.

9. Confidentiality- 

Confidentiality means privacy of the information of a person. It is the right of an individual patient either disclose or not his or her personal, identifiable medical information. Without the consent of the patient, his or her information cannot disclose to anyone physician' record and insurance personnel as necessary. The patient has the right to sue on disclosing his or her confidentiality.

Elements of the Code are-

1.  Nurses and People

• The nurse's primary professional responsibility people requiring nursing care.
• A person's value's, customs and religious beliefs must be respected
• Personal information must be held in confidence or shared only with Judgements.
• The nurse also shares responsibility to sustain and protect the natural environment from depletion, pollution, degradation and destruction.

2.  Nurses Practice

• The nurse carries personal responsibility and accountability for nursing practice and for maintaining competence by continual learning.
• The nurse maintains a standard of personal health such that the ability to provide care is not compromised
• The nurse uses judgement regarding individual competence when accepting and delegating responsibility.
• The nurse in providing care, ensures that use of technology and scientific advances are compatible with the safety, dignity and rights of people.

3. Nurses and Profession

• The nurse assumes the major role in determining and implementing acceptable standards of clinical nursing practice, management, research and education.
• The nurse is active in developing a core of research based professional knowledge.
• The nurse acting through the professional organisation, Participates in creating and maintaining safe, equitable social and economic working conditions in nursing.

4. Nurses and Co-workers

• The nurse sustains a co-operative relationship with co-workers in nursing and other fields.
• The nurse take appropriate action to safeguard individuals families and communities when their health is endangered by a co-worker or any other person.

5. Nurses and Society -

• Participate and share responsibility with other citizens and other health professionals.
• Recognize and perform the duties of citizenship.
• Aware of laws and regulations which affect the practice of medicine and nursing.

 

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