What questions a consequentialist might raise after reviewing the facts of this case and why.
Review the following lecture:
Ethical Theories and Principles
The project assignment provides a forum for analyzing and evaluating relevant topics of this week on the basis of the course competencies covered.
Introduction:
In each week, you will have the opportunity to explore an ethical theory—consequential ethics, utilitarian ethics, deontological ethics, and nonconsequential ethics—in the context of a case scenario from your textbook. In this week, the focus will be on deontological ethics. Remember from your Week 1 lectures that nonconsequential ethics suggests that the assessment of right or wrong must be based on the action and not the consequences.
Tasks:
Review the following case:
Chelsea was preparing to drape Mr. Smith’s leg in OR 6 for surgery when she was approached by Nicole, the nurse manager. Nicole asked, “Chelsea, please come to OR 3. We have an emergency there and urgently need your skills to assist the surgeon.” Chelsea turned to Daniel, the surgical technician, and asked him to continue prepping Mr. Smith’s leg for surgery. Daniel prepped the leg prior to the surgeon entering the room. The surgeon entered the room a few minutes later and asked, “Where is Chelsea?” Daniel replied, “She was called away for an emergency in OR 3. Karen will be shortly in to assist us.”
Following the surgery, Mr. Smith was transferred to the recovery room. While he was in the recovery room, a nurse was looking at the patient’s medical record as to the notes regarding the patient’s procedure during surgery. She noticed that the surgery was conducted on the wrong leg.
Although there was a heated discussion between the surgeon and the nursing staff, each member of the staff had good intentions, but the outcome was not so good. Nonconsequentialists believe that right or wrong depends on the intention. They generally focus more on deeds and whether those deeds are good or bad. In this case, the intentions were good but the outcome was bad. It should be noted that nonconsequentialists do not always ignore the consequences. They accept the fact that sometimes good intentions can lead to bad outcomes. In summary, nonconsequentialists focus more on character as to whether someone is a good person or not. Nonconsequentialists believe that right or wrong depends on the intention. Generally, the consequentialist will focus more on outcomes as to whether they are good or bad.
In a 2- to 3-page document, complete the following tasks:
Describe how the nonconsequential theory of ethics applies in this case.
Posit what questions a consequentialist might raise after reviewing the facts of this case and why.
To support your work, use your course and textbook readings and also use the South University Online Library. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.
Submission Details
Name your file as SU_MHA6060_W4_Project_LastName_FirstName.
By the due date assigned, submit it to the Submissions Area.
Ethical Theories and Principles
The term “ethics” is derived from Greek and Latin terms for custom or habit, but current usage of the term communicates a manner of action—doing what is right or good over what is wrong or bad. It is important to note here that ethics involves the how and why of what ought to be versus what is. The study of ethics provides us with a framework to make appropriate choices on the basis of some universal guidelines set by community values and laws. There are a number of different ethical theories that help to guide the development of such community values and laws that, in turn, support ethical decision making. In this course, you will explore the following ethical theories in depth:
Consequential Ethics: A value-based theory that suggests the ends justify the means—the decision to act in a certain manner must be driven by a desired outcome to maximize good
Utilitarian Ethics: A result-based theory that says the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its ability to maximize happiness or pleasure for all
Deontological Ethics: A duty-based theory that originated from the work of Kant suggests that doing the right thing is important whether it results in maximum good
Nonconsequential Ethics: An intent-based theory that denies that the consequences of behavior are the only criteria to determine moral action; right and wrong stem from the intent of the action
Ethical Theories
Review each tab to learn more.
Consequential
Right and Wrong
Rightness and wrongness of actions are determined by the consequences generated.
Goodness
Good breeds good.
Theorists
Milton Friedman and Niccolo Machiavelli
Utilitarian
Deontological
Nonconsequential
Ultimately, while there are a number of theories to help influence ethical conduct, there are some agreed-upon principles in healthcare that drive ethical behavior for healthcare professionals. Following are the principles:
Autonomy: Recognizing the right of individuals to make their own decisions without interference from another
Beneficence: Recognizing the principle of showing kindness and compassion to others and doing good
Nonmaleficence: Recognizing the importance to avoid causing harm and to avoid options that provide no short- or long-term benefits
Developing a working knowledge of ethical theories and principles helps to provide a moral compass. This moral compass will guide the decisions you make throughout your life as individuals and as healthcare administrators, particularly as you align your organization to meet a growing body of governing healthcare laws.
Additional Materials
From your course textbook, Legal and Ethical Issues for Health Professionals, review the following chapter:
Introduction to Ethics
From the South University Online Library, review the following articles:
The Burden of Choice: A Qualitative Study of Healthcare Professionals’ Reactions to Ethical Challenges in Humanitarian Crises
Eliciting, Documenting, and Honoring Patient’s Goals of Care and Life-Sustaining Treatment Decisions: Building Systems to Ensure Success (FR479)
From the Internet, review the following:
American College of Healthcare Executives. (n.d.). About ACHE. Retrieved from https://www.ache.org/abt_ache/code.cfm
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