Downs Syndrome
Introduction
This paper will explore the case study of Suzanne, an independent living 25-year-old woman with Downs Syndrome that presents with progressively worsening congenital heart and lung abnormalities. She has been referred to a transplant center to be evaluated for a possible heart-lung transplant. The transplant center will be in charge of determining whether or not she will be able to handle her post-transplant care. In order to make this determination, “A Guide to Moral Decision Making” by Chris MacDonald will be used in order to make the most ethical and fair decision possible in this case.
Stakeholders
There are several stakeholders in this case. Suzanne herself, the physician board, ethics committee, cardiac unit, …show more content…
The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 along with federal regulations associated with the Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in obtaining medical treatment. However, Ne’eman, Kapp, & Narby (2013) notates that “It has historically been difficult to enforce federal civil rights law within the area of medical decision-making. Due to the lack of medical knowledge on the part of the average patient or family member, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities often face little recourse when denied transplantation or even referral for consideration for such a procedure” (Introduction section, para. 1). Furthermore, there has been problems with insurance companies may not want to pay for the transplant, leading the patient to have to cover the cost of the transplant, and thereby causing exclusion from the attainment of an organ transplant. According to Kappel (2004), “Financial need is a major barrier and basis of exclusion. Among the survey respondents, only one in three (36%) think their insurance would cover all of the costs of a transplant. In one in four (27%) of the situations described in the survey, none of the costs of organ transplant are covered by insurance” (Insurance and Financial Need section, para. 1).
Ethical Principles
The ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, justice, and paternalism were used as a guide for this case. The American Nurses Association defines each ethical principle:
• Autonomy is the agreement to respect another's right to self-determine a course of action; support of independent decision
This paper will explore the case study of Suzanne, an independent living 25-year-old woman with Downs Syndrome that presents with progressively worsening congenital heart and lung abnormalities. She has been referred to a transplant center to be evaluated for a possible heart-lung transplant. The transplant center will be in charge of determining whether or not she will be able to handle her post-transplant care. In order to make this determination, “A Guide to Moral Decision Making” by Chris MacDonald will be used in order to make the most ethical and fair decision possible in this case.
Stakeholders
There are several stakeholders in this case. Suzanne herself, the physician board, ethics committee, cardiac unit, …show more content…
The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 along with federal regulations associated with the Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in obtaining medical treatment. However, Ne’eman, Kapp, & Narby (2013) notates that “It has historically been difficult to enforce federal civil rights law within the area of medical decision-making. Due to the lack of medical knowledge on the part of the average patient or family member, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities often face little recourse when denied transplantation or even referral for consideration for such a procedure” (Introduction section, para. 1). Furthermore, there has been problems with insurance companies may not want to pay for the transplant, leading the patient to have to cover the cost of the transplant, and thereby causing exclusion from the attainment of an organ transplant. According to Kappel (2004), “Financial need is a major barrier and basis of exclusion. Among the survey respondents, only one in three (36%) think their insurance would cover all of the costs of a transplant. In one in four (27%) of the situations described in the survey, none of the costs of organ transplant are covered by insurance” (Insurance and Financial Need section, para. 1).
Ethical Principles
The ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, justice, and paternalism were used as a guide for this case. The American Nurses Association defines each ethical principle:
• Autonomy is the agreement to respect another's right to self-determine a course of action; support of independent decision