Applying Ethical Principles Capella University Developing a Health Care Perspective Applying Ethical Principles

Health care professionals face ethical dilemmas during their daily practice that require the use of their moral values, moral judgement, and principles when making decisions. There are four fundamental principles of ethics for the health care work to include autonomy, beneficence, no maleficence, and justice. These principles act as a guide for fair and ethical decision making by health care professionals. Many use the principles to make decisions when faced with complex health care situation involving patients. Overview of the Case Study Dr. Straight is the director of clinical services at Hopewell Hospital, since he took the position two years ago, new programs have been developed and quality is getting better. Dr. Straight was informed by the operating room supervisor of a problem. The problem happened during a surgery performed by Dr. Cutrite, once a brilliant surgeon, who has slipped physically and mentally over the years. The OR supervisor is “almost sure we left a plastic needle protector from a disposable syringe in the patient’s belly”. Dr. Straight recommends taking the patient back to surgery however the patient discharged the day before. Dr. Straight asks the supervisor if they had spoken with Dr. Cutrite. The supervisor had and stated Dr. Cutrite “won’t consider telling Mrs. Jameson there might be a problem” and “he warned us not to do anything either”. Dr. Cutrite claims “it cannot possible hurt her, expect for a little discomfort, she will never know if is there.” Dr. Straight spoke with the chief of surgery about a hypothetical question r/t to this dilemma. He responded by saying there would likely be occasional discomfort, b