Ethical Dilemmas Facing Nurses During the Coronavirus Crisis: Addressing Moral Distress

Ethical Dilemmas Facing Nurses During the Coronavirus Crisis: Addressing Moral Distress

Ethical Dilemmas Facing Nurses During the Coronavirus Crisis: Addressing Moral Distress

PROVIDER/DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
Sigma Theta Tau International is an accredited provider of continuing nursing education by the
American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation.
This activity is eligible for 1.0 contact hour.
To receive CNE contact hours learners must complete the evaluation form and be in attendance.
Conflict of Interest: Authors attest that no relevant financial relationship exists between themselves
and any commercial supporting entity which would represent a conflict of interest or commercialize
the presentation content.

ORDER COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION PAPERS

Objectives

1. Describe the current evidence regarding the COVID-19 virus
2. Discuss ethical dilemmas facing nurses caring for patients seriously ill
with COVID-19 and their families
3. Identify strategies to address the dilemmas facing nursing in this
unprecedented crisis
4. Discuss self-care strategies to support nurses dealing with moral
distress associated with the crisis

Keep Up-To-Date with Evidence-Based Resources
‐ Coronavirus.gov- latest updates & FAQ
‐ USA.gov- provides data on federal government responses
‐ CDC.gov/coronavirus- public health & safety information
‐ ANA- https:// nursingworld.org/coronavirus
‐ Sigma- https://www.sigmanursing.org
‐ AACN- https://www.aacnnursing.org

Covid-19
‐ Global Epidemic
‐ Spread is thought to be through aerosolized droplets expelled from coughing,
sneezing, or breathing
‐ Incubation period is 2-14 days
‐ Symptoms typically are fever, cough & shortness of breath- can be spread in the
absence of symptoms
‐ Lives on plastic & metal for up to 72 hours
‐ Risk is greater in older aged adults and those with co-morbidities
CDC.gov/coronavirus

Best Practices for Prevention & Mitigation

‐ Recommendations/Restrictions for all: strict hand hygiene, surface
decontamination; social distancing of 2m or 6 feet; no more than 10 people in a
group;
‐ Healthcare system recommendations: Patients presenting with symptomsfacemask on arrival; rapid triage; separate in well-ventilated space with 6 ft distance
until isolation room available
‐ Recommendations for healthcare workers in contact with infected individuals: strict
hand hygiene, surface decontamination; PPE: gown, gloves & N95 respirator plus a
face shield/googles or a powered, air-purifying respirator (PAPR)
Adams & Walls; JAMA, 3.12.20; CDC.gov/coronavirus

What Do We Know About Dealing with A Pandemic?
‐ We have an obligation to provide good symptom management to all
‐ Some may be denied potentially life-saving therapies in a triage system
‐ Families may lose the opportunity to be involved in decision-making
‐ Patients may be forced to die alone
‐ A pandemic stresses the frontline healthcare workers
‐ Workers are often asked to work in unfamiliar areas
‐ Workloads exceed normal limits
‐ Resources & supplies are limited Burnout & PTSD
Downar & Seccareccia