A patient has suddenly died in a major teaching hospital after a medication administration error.

Ethics 

Discussion Prompt

A patient has suddenly died in a major teaching hospital after a medication administration error. Initially, the death was reported to the Medical Examiner by the patient’s doctors as “cardiac arrest” . The hospital does not report the death to the state, federal officials, or the Joint Commission. After the results of an autopsy requested by the patient’s family revealed death caused by an incorrect drug, the hospital fires the nurse who administered the medication and negotiates an out-of-court settlement with the family. An anonymous tipster alerts state and federal officials to the error that caused the patient’s death. This causes a cascade of activity including a threat by CMS to suspend the hospital’s Medicare payments.

Describe the rationale the hospital may have had for failing to disclose details of this event.

What leadership competencies were or were not displayed by the organization in this case?

What recommendation would you have for a more ethical and responsible way of managing this serious issue? Support your position with evidence from your research and experience