Ethics in Baptist Health South Florida
Introduction
In the modern world, a good number of companies have conformed to international ethical standards. Baptist Health South Florida is an example of such company. Ethics are morally correct values and principles. To understand the how Baptist Health South Florida upholds ethical values in its operations, it is significant to point out its mission. The mission of this health institution is clearly defined as to elevate the physical condition and fitness of its customers and endorse, support, and encourage the inviolability and protection of being or existence within the population it offers its services. The institution is also dedicated to upholding and preserving elevated values and principles associated with medical and health examination quality and at the same time uphold high degrees of honesty and ethical practice. The code of ethics of this institution also dictates that every action or practice performed for Baptist Health must conform with the directives and guidelines of the health institution and be performed I regard to elevated principled and honest principles (Baptist Health South Florida, 2012). This paper points out how Baptist Health South Florida behaves morally towards its consumers, employees, and the environment. This paper also focuses on the possible effects of these morally conscious decisions, and possible improvements of its policies.
Ethics towards employees
It is mandatory for each and every worker in this health institution to be acquainted with the institution’s code of ethics or governing principles. This institution makes clear to all individuals I positions of leadership that they should set good examples to their employees in regard to moral principles. These individuals in leadership are also required to establish good working atmosphere and surrounding that would hearten and maintain deliberation on the institution’s guiding principles and regulations. Managers are therefore required to behavior and perform their duties in compliance with elevated moral and above-board principles. They are also supposed to ascertain the fact that those below them in terms of rank are well accustomed and acquainted with the institutions governing guidelines. Workers are also made conscious of the importance of exposing any activities or actions in disregard to the institution’s code of ethics. It is the duty of those in leadership to react to these behaviors and prevent retribution towards those workers who expose any wrong doings. The institution also encourages workers to report any worries and fears to their managers and these are determined and resolute amicably (Baptist Health South Florida, 2012).
According to Baptist Health South Florida (2012), the security and well being of workers in this institution is regarded highly. The institution offer or makes available a secure and protected place of work for its workers. The institution’s code of ethics points out that it does not bear or accept behaviors and performances of belligerence and brutality. Workers are therefore advised and encouraged to expose expeditiously any actions of cruelty or belligerence. The institution has also established a section known as the Ergonomics Department that is aimed at offering knowledge and skills to its workers via the internet. This system helps in minimizing and avoiding any ailments and injuries to the muscles and skeleton within the workplace. The institution also avails appraisals, evaluations, and treatment within the workplace in a bid to offer or present practical and hands-on advances towards the avoidance of harm.
Ethics towards Customers and environment
Patients undergoing treatment have a right to confidentiality. Baptist Health necessitates its entire medical staff especially physicians to collect or congregate a lot of private and health history of patients seeking treatment. According to the American Medical Association (2013), through the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA), individuals seeking treatment in any health institution have confidentiality privileges in regard to their health information. As is norm in many countries, hospitals mostly have a pact with medical schools and colleges hence act as training grounds for students undertaking a medical course. Even in such cases, the patient has a right either to allow or disallow any spectators or witnesses in the Emergency Room. As is mandatory in medical ethics, if the client declines to have any students or other spectators during treatment, then Baptist Health necessitates that no threats or bullying should be articulated with an attempt to change the mind of the client. Physicians should always ensure that a form is signed by the client in order to allow students or any other witness so as to defend themselves in case they are sued in a court of law by the client.
The facts or figures contained in a patient’s medical record as well as any facts discussed between a physician and a client should be regarded as private and confidential exchange of facts. All clients have a right officially authorized by law to confidentiality and discretion. It is also important to consider the fact that, any information revealed or divulged to the wellbeing team has to be treated with utmost confidentiality. Any information regarding a client should only be given to any other associate of the wellbeing team especially the laboratory technician in cases where the information is relevant to the management and cure (American Medical Association, 2013). These issues are well considered in Baptist Health. The personal information of the patients such as contact information and credit card information should be treated with utmost confidentiality as it can be used by criminals to illegitimately get hold of the patients’ personal belongings and money.
The concept of confidentiality of patient medical records is an all encompassing issue since it reveals the association and connection between the medical practitioner and the patient. In some cases a patient’s members of the family may ask for privileged information from the medical practitioner concerning the patient; the code of ethics in Baptism Health posits that the medical practitioner should in such a case only make known the information that has been approved and consented by the patient. The form signed by the patient authorizing the release of any medical information has to clearly affirm the individual who is to obtain the information (ENA, 2009). This approval or agreement should be kept in the patient’s medical records. An example of confidential medical information involves a patient’s HIV status.
Breach of the patient’s medical information is avoided in Baptism Health through creating conducive environment between the medical practitioners and the patients hence ensuring respect for the patient’s medical information. It is also of utmost importance to maintain a good doctor-patient relationship as this will hearten and give confidence to the clients seeking medical attention. It has been observed since time immemorial that confidentiality safeguards against negative and detrimental results to the clients, for instance shame and disgrace, as well as bigotry. This can be attributed to the fear patients have on their employers gaining access to the confidential medical information hence start treating them with biasness and unfairly.
Confidentiality in Baptism Health is also attained through holding medical practitioners in the institution legally responsible for gratuitous revelation of patient’s medical information. Breach of confidentiality has also been facilitated by the introduction of computerized medical records. Access of such information in Baptism Health is restricted to only individuals who are involved in the treatment and care of the patient. Over the past, electronic medical records have been accessible to many individuals such as physicians, other staff members, billing staff, students, consultants, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, as well as workers in insurance companies. Environmental issues that are observed in Baptism Health include the availing of standard heating systems, and safe disposal of medical wastes. Maintaining the environment is important for the institution as it helps in the reduction of overall environmental pollution.
Effects of ethical behaviors to Baptism Health
The incorporation of an effective code of ethics has been considered important in the manifestation of morals, principles, and standards that helps in governing an institution. Ethical behavior will automatically lead to the availing of high quality services to the customers in Baptist Health hence all the stakeholders will be satisfied. This is the reason why the management ensures that all workers comprehend all the regulations laid down in its code of ethics. An ethical code that is efficiently followed in Baptism Health will also lay the platform for reporting activities that does not conform to the regulations and standards of the institution. This will ensure that these behaviors are identified and handled instantly. An in situation that follows it s code of ethics is most likely to have high levels of profits and at the same time offer quality services to its clients. A code of ethics will also prevent incidences of fraud as well as theft within the institution (Limentani, 1999).
It is evident from the institutions code of ethics that it has laid down the privileges of the employees and the contributions of all the individuals in leadership in ensuring the laid down standards and principles are followed. There is need for enhancement of regulations in regard to the employees in that yearly meetings should be conducted and individuals from other ethics compliant health institutions invited in a bid to share ideas and experiences that will in the long run ensure that patients are offered quality services. The management should also lay the groundwork that would ensure methodical studies and investigations within and outside the institution as this would help in the creation of novel strategies that will improve services to patients and at the same time create strategies that will ensure the retention of workers. The institution’s code of ethics does not clearly indicate ethical considerations in regard to the environment. Therefore, there is need for the creation of plans of action that will ensure the environment is well taken care of and ensure pollution is avoided or prevented.
In conclusion, the main objective of Baptism Health is to elevate the physical condition and health of its customers and support, sustain, and hearten the holiness and fortification of being or existence within the people it offers its services. The institution is also devoted and enthusiastic to upholding and preserving elevated values and principles associated with medical and health examination quality and at the same time upholds high degrees of honesty and ethical practice. Plan of action have been put into place in its code of ethics to ensure the plight of its employees, clients/patients, as well as the environment are well take care of.
References
American Medical Association. (2013). Patient Confidentiality. Retrieved from
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/legal-topics/patient-physician-relationship-topics/patient-confidentiality.page
Baptist Health South Florida. (2012). Code of Ethics: A Guide to Ethical Standards. Retrieved from
http://baptisthealth.net/en/about-baptist-health/documents/code_of_ethics.pdf
ENA. (2009). Sheehy’s Emergency Nursing: Principles and Practice, 6th Edition. St Louis, Missouri: Mosby Publishers.
Limentani, A. E. (1999). The Role of ethical principles in health care and the implications for ethical codes: Journal of Medical Ethics. Retrieved from http://jme.bmj.com/content/25/5/394.full.pdf
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