The Feeding Tube

Assignment #4

                          The Feeding Tube

                                  Natasha Thomas

                              HSA 515- Dr. Griffin
                            Strayer University Summer

                                August 17, 2011

                            Abstract
      The scenario illustrated in this assignment involves a number of issues which are primarily based upon the advantages and disadvantages of being able to make a clear and conscious decision when a patient is not able to speak on their own, and who has the right to make the decision for the patient that is not in a clear and conscious state to do so on their own. In this scenario we will look deeper into patient rights has a whole, and who has the right to make the decision for the patient. This paper will address the Patient Bill of Rights and how it applies to the scenario, we will also look at the facts that are in the scenario and determine if the patient would be considered competent to make a clear decision. It is also clear that June’s doctors also played a major role in this scenario along with the hospital administrators at the time. In this scenario we will look at some ethical obligations that could have been taken into consideration, legal obligations or actions that the organization should make, along with the steps and actions that were taken by the hospital staff. Overall was the patient’s rights upheld even during the time that she was not able to make a clear decision in regards to her health, and were the right people notified when it was determined that June was not competent to make the decision to get the feeding tube. After seeking advice from risk management to determine what legal obligations the hospital would be responsible for and what should have been the overall decision made in this scenario, and what actions should have been taken to ensure that June’s health is priority along with the hospital keeping in mind the... [continues]

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