Medical center in New Orleans?
Medical center in New Orleans?
DUE 3/11/18
9am New York Time Zone (eastern )
Word Count 150 minimum for each post
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**Read Below & Reply To Both Post*
What guidance does the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive statements provide for a situation like the one at Memorial Hospital Medical center in New Orleans?
To view the article, http://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/2010/09/hlaw1-1009.html .
After reading the link above and the question presented do you agree with the reply post why or why not ? Give documentation to support your decision
Reply 1: The history of hurricane Katrina and New Orleans, LA is a devastating one. The devastation that ran through the city for the days, weeks, and months after the hurricane was heartbreaking. People all over were pushed to the limits and expected to find ways to survive until help could be reached. This was not only for the hospitals in the city but also for the residents and other businesses. What happened at Memorial Medical Center was sad and led to bad outcomes but these healthcare professionals were asked to do the impossible in impossible conditions.
Dr. Pou, I believe did the best she knew how to do in this impossible situation. Provision 4 states, “The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to promote health and to provide optimal care” (Butts & Rich, 2016, pg. 473). These patients that they were trying to keep comfortable and healthy over these days of no power, air conditioning, and access to proper medical equipment were in pain and their health was quickly deteriorating despite the staffs best efforts. Dr. Pou believed that to provide optimal care to these patients was to help relieve some of their pain and suffering by sedation and giving them morphine. When making a decision like this it is her responsibility to make sure this was the right call for these patients that were dying and still trapped inside the hospital with limited resources. But, the provision also states that she must be held accountable for her actions. Which is what ultimately happened when an investigation took place.
Only the people that were there those four days truly understand and know the chaos that happened at Memorial Medical Center. Unfortunately sometimes when asked to do the impossible and help 180 patients to the best of your abilities mistakes get made, even if at the time it seemed like the right call. I feel as though provision 4 best guides someone for this type of situation as you must act in the patients best interest to deliver optimal care, show responsibility, but also must be held accountable.(BAKER)
