Reference no: EM132382732

Develop alternative courses of action

I. Alternative 1: The pharmacist can let the patient know right away that he is at risk for further harm or injury, especially at his workplace. The patient should not be at work until seizures are completely under control.This is only for the patients safety as a seizure on a roof or any unsafe conditions would be harmful to the patient and the people around him, including his co-workers.

II. Alternative 2: Dr. Jenkins should contact the physician who diagnosed the patient and prescribed seizure medication to alert the doctor the patient is working, as this may be harmful to the patient. The doctor could write a sealed letter to send it to his boss to explain patient situation that he should not work in the roof or anywhere that can have a threat to his life.

III. Alternative 3: The pharmacist can suggest to the patient that he could reach out to his employer to ensure that he does not work until seizures are completely under control and medications on a steady regimen. Going by HIPAA policies, Dr. Jenkins could release the minimal information needed to let the employer know of his health condition in order to prevent jeopardizing Mr. Wilson's safety.

a. Identify relevant ethical principles for each alternative

Alternative 1: Dr. Jenkins would be practicing the fidelity principle as he is displaying a strong sense of faithfulness to the patient's diagnosis and laboratory test results in the strictest confidence. The pharmacist, Dr. Jenkins would also be practicing truthfulness, as he elaborated to the patient the risk of going back to work so soon. The patient is at risk for further injury and harm to the people around him. The pharmacist would be held accountable, as a healthcare professional we are held responsible for our patients and their outcomes.

Alternative 2: Dr. Jenkins

b. Recognize ethical assumptions for each alternative

c. Determine additional emerging ethical problems