Assessment instructions
You are required to develop separate case studies for all three (3) case narratives.
In each case study, students are required to respond to the following tasks:
Case narrative 3: Lunch
You are eating in the hospital cafeteria at your workplace when your colleague joins you. You notice that you colleague is scratching the back of their hands profusely and the skin appears red, swollen, and small cracks with some weepy clear ooze. You ask your colleague if they are okay, and they tell you that it is totally fine and they think it is just eczema. They reach into their backpack and pull out a tube of cream. Your colleague continues to tell you that they periodically experience flare ups of eczema and the steroid cream they got from the medication room always works. You question your colleague about the medication they have as it does not look like any steroid cream you have previously seen before, but they brush you off, stating that “there’s always a bunch of surplus items in the medication room and everyone takes what they want, the hospital never notices.”
In the given case narrative, a healthcare professional encounters an ethical dilemma when their colleague exhibits symptoms of eczema and self-administers medication obtained from the hospital’s medication room without a proper prescription or authorization. This case study explores the ethical considerations and legal implications involved in this situation and provides insights on how it can inform future healthcare practice, emphasizing safety and quality in healthcare.
The ethical dilemma in this case revolves around the unauthorized use of medication obtained from the hospital’s medication room. The colleague’s actions raise concerns about patient safety, medication accountability, and professional integrity. The healthcare professional must decide how to address the situation while upholding ethical principles such as honesty, integrity, and patient welfare.
Medication Accountability: The unauthorized use of medication violates the principles of medication safety and accountability. Health professionals have a legal and ethical responsibility to handle medications appropriately, ensuring accurate documentation, administration, and adherence to prescribed protocols. Taking surplus medication without proper authorization compromises patient safety and breaches professional standards.
Professional Integrity and Honesty: Healthcare professionals are expected to uphold professional integrity by adhering to ethical standards and being honest about their actions. In this case, the colleague’s behavior raises concerns about honesty and professional accountability. Sharing surplus medication without appropriate authorization undermines trust, professional credibility, and the integrity of the healthcare system.
Patient Safety and Duty of Care: The healthcare professional has a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of patients. Using unauthorized medication poses potential risks to patient safety, as the colleague’s self-diagnosis may be inaccurate or inadequate. By not seeking proper medical advice, the colleague may delay appropriate treatment, potentially compromising patient outcomes and violating the duty of care.
To address this ethical dilemma, the healthcare professional can employ a legal/ethical decision-making framework focused on safety and quality in healthcare. This framework involves the following steps:
Gather Information: Collect all relevant facts, including the colleague’s behavior, the medication involved, and the hospital’s policies on medication access and accountability.
Identify Ethical Principles: Consider ethical principles such as honesty, integrity, patient welfare, and professional accountability. These principles guide decision-making and shape actions in alignment with ethical standards.
Evaluate Legal Obligations: Review legislation, regulations, and hospital policies related to medication handling, patient safety, and professional conduct. Determine the legal obligations and responsibilities regarding medication access and use.
Seek Guidance and Consultation: Consult with supervisors, ethics committees, or legal advisors to seek guidance on the appropriate course of action in addressing the situation. These consultations can provide insights into the legal and ethical dimensions of the case.
Make a Decision and Take Action: Based on the information gathered and guidance received, make an informed decision on how to address the situation. This may involve discussing concerns with the colleague, reporting the incident to appropriate authorities, or seeking further medical evaluation for the colleague’s condition.
Reflect and Learn: After taking action, reflect on the outcomes and lessons learned from the experience. Assess how this case informs your future healthcare practice, emphasizing the importance of medication safety, accountability, ethical conduct, and patient-centered care.
The case of the colleague’s unauthorized use of eczema medication highlights the ethical dilemma and legal/ethical considerations involved in such situations. By applying a legal/ethical decision-making framework, healthcare professionals can navigate these challenges, prioritize patient safety, and uphold ethical principles. This case emphasizes the significance of medication accountability, professional integrity, patient safety, and the duty of care in healthcare practice.
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