Reference no: EM133420791
Assignment:
Ethical issues with isolated patients at times family really do not want to wear masks, google, etc. Our education given is useless! Provide examples or use your DNP Project if you have any potential ethical issues /concerns and describe how you will address this. Provide literature support. Please help!
Ethical Issue
Isolating infectious patients is essential to reduce infection risk. Effectiveness depends on identifying infectious patients, transferring them to suitable rooms, and maintaining precautions (Gould et al., 2018). Isolation is the segregation of infectious/potentially infectious patients and those who are at particular risk of infection, such as neutropenic patients, to prevent transmission of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, highly contagious pathogens, and pathogens that cause serious infections (Gould et al., 2018). Ethical issues that I have encountered in my role as an infection preventionist is related to Isolating patients, and the ethical concern related to the psychological impact of isolation on patients such as mood swings, depression, loneliness, stigmatized or bored during hospitalization, the feeling of left alone unattended for longer periods and feeling of abandonment (Kelly-Rossini et al., 1997).
Patients have the right to obtain non- discriminated and non-stigmatized care for their health issues. However, at the same time for nurses and the healthcare team, the focus may be on preventing transmission of infection and preventing unnecessary exposures to the healthcare team, visitors, families, and other patients are the key elements of infection control and prevention and balancing patient care. There may be restrictions to the number of healthcare workers who will be entering an isolation room, and limitations to the duration of time spent in the room.