Category / Case Studies / Distributive Justice / Medical Ethics / Medical Ethics and Policy Guidance
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![Oximeter on a finger.]()
Case Study – ECMO and Ethics
The hospital team understand the importance ECMO has in keeping Thad alive and giving hope to the family but are concerned about its continuation as they do not known when a heart transplant will become available.
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![A woman's face showing stress.]()
Case Study – Moral Culpability for Respecting Patients’ Autonomy
This patient has a long history of IV drug abuse but communicates to the health team that his recent hospitalization has brought some clarity in that regard, and he vows to “give up doing drugs.”
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![A ball of twine on a red background.]()
Case Study – Decisional Capacity of the Patient’s Surrogate
With an adult daughter saying “No” to a trach and PEG and a DPOA spouse of questionable capacity what should the medical team do?
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![Close up of a stethoscope draped around a doctor's neck wearing a white lab coat.]()
Case Study – A Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team Disagrees
Most members of the ICU team, and the palliative care consultant, believe that prognosis is poor and death is imminent. Their patient is still Full Code, however, and his wife and daughter are adamant that providers “continue to do everything that will work.”
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![A man's legs.]()
Case Study – Whose Decision?
Jorge replies, “I don’t want to die! But please, please, don’t cut off my legs! Please, Doctor! No one will take my legs! I can’t live without legs!”
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![ICU monitor.]()
Case Study –Too little, too late… almost
Angelie is tired and losing motivation. She feels hopeless and is struggling to find the passion that led her to the nursing profession in the first place. She ponders quitting, doing something else with less stress, whether or not the pay is better.
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Case Study – Trying to Honor Johnny’s Wishes
“I know I’m not doing well and that my time here is limited. So, I want you to promise me that you’ll keep me alive long enough to touch my oldest daughter’s hand and say goodbye.” Carson shakes his hand, with every intention to keep this promise.
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![Man standing high up.]()
Case Study – “God will restore his leg. The doctors will see.” Patient Nonadherence.
Collin takes a moment to further underscore the complications and consequences that may arise from not having the leg amputated, including death, but it appears Xiang has made up his mind.
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![Nurse looking distressed.]()
Case Study – Moral Dimensions of Medical Negligence
I should have been paying more attention. Should have insisted on either helping Lyle or finding a CNA to do so. I feel so bad. If Lyle doesn’t recover, if he dies . . . . Oh, my God. Did I kill him?” John is distraught.
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![Nurse resting on a sofa.]()
Case Study – Moral Distress of Hospital Workers
Unable to answer the question definitively, Sandra is left speechless. This is not the first patient with severe COVID for whom she’s provided nursing care. Apart from the incredibly high number of COVID hospitalizations recently, there has also been a disturbingly high number of COVID deaths, and it’s all been taking an emotional toll on hospital staff, including Sandra.
