Abstract
The purpose of this assignment is to gather information from patients and practicing nurses on their daily experiences at the health facility where they are working for the nurses and admitted for the patients. Through the assignment, the author attempts to learn how the basic principles of ethics apply at the health facility and ways in which the working environment can be changed for the better. As a health care administrator, the author is out to learn some of the experiences patients go through while receiving treatment, how registered nurses at these health facilities cope with the challenges, they face during their day-to-day operations at the work place.
The first interview is between the author and “Patient A”, who has been in the hospital for the past 2 months diagnosed with psychotic disorder, a severe mental complication that results in unrealistic thoughts and perceptions. The disorder is often characterized by abnormal illusions and misconceptions. In most cases, patients suffering from psychotic disorder often lose touch with realism. Patient A has been on medication, a treatment aimed at reducing the signs such as delusions. During the interview, Patient A, co-operated and answered the questions logically.
Healthcare Administration
Interviewer: Thank you very much for accepting to participate in this exercise, which is aimed at gathering information on Medicare and ethical principles in the health facility. I would like to take this opportunity to assure that your identity will remain confidential and at no time will I use or refer you in our conversation by your official names. To begin, how can you describe your hospital visits?
Patient A: I am very grateful for this opportunity to air my opinion on behalf of may be other patients admitted here for several health complications. Firstly, I must commend the hospital management and staff for such a conducive environment for patients. Since I was admitted here about two months ago, my condition has improved and I give credit to the RN, who has been on call all day long in attending to my condition. The medical team is grate, the environment is comfortable, my fellow patients are well behaved, the food is good, and the management has ensured that all is running according to plan. It is a great medical center despite a few issues such as lack of enough medical personnel.
Interviewer: How can you describe other patient’s attitude towards the medical facility?
Patient A: From a general perspective, I can say that they are happy and comfortable with the kind of treatment they are receiving. Although not all can share my opinion, I can vouch that over 80 percent are happy with the treatment, the management team, and mostly, the ability to uphold the basic principles of work ethics.
Interviewer: How can you describe the kind of treatment being given in addition to the RN response to your ailing conditions?
Patient A: In my opinion and in accordance to my response to my medication, I must say their diagnosis, treatment, and care is far above average. I believe they are giving their best to ensure that the patients receive the best treatment ever.
Interviewer: Thank you very much for your cooperation and I wish you quick recovery.
Patient A: You are most welcome.
In the second interview, the author interviews a Registered Nurse who has worked in the health facility for the last eight years in the female Psycho ward. For purposes of confidentiality, the nurse will simply be referred to as “Nurse A”.
The Interview
Interviewer: Thank you very much for accepting to participate in this interview which is aimed at gathering information on your area of specialization which is administering drugs and taking care of patients in the psychiatrist ward. How can you describe your working environment?
Nurse A: You most welcome. I must admit that the working environment here is very conducive and flexible. However, the workload is too much and the few registered nurses employed here go to great lengths in taking care of patients. The minimum hours I work here in one shift is 12 hours non-stop a situation that is demanding considering the high number of patients admitted here in addition to the outpatients.
Interviewer: How is the management responding to the high number of patients in addition to the working environment?
Nurse A: I must say that the management is supportive in ensuring that the nurses have a good working environment and the patients to receive the best Medicare. Despite occasional setbacks and challenges such as inadequate staff, the management has put in place mechanisms to help handle extreme cases if need arises.
Interviewer: How can you describe patient’s response to your medication and Medicare?
Nurse A: From close observation, I must say that they are happy and respond well to their treatment. Apart from a few cases of stubbornness and lack of cooperation, the patients are good and I do up loud them for their good conduct.
Interviewer: What is the most exciting thing about this job and what inspired you to choose it as your career?
Nurse A: The most exciting thing about my work is seeing a patient’s health improve for the better. Seeing them back on their feet again, strong and capable. It a good feeling and it keeps reminding me of the many attempts I have walked with them in their pains. My mother inspired me to take it up as my career. When she was down with skin complications, I took care of her at home, urging her not to give up and be strong despite the many negative medical reports. It took her six years to heal up while bedridden. I was the only one who kept her company all the while. I was young and the memories back then pushed me to take up a medical course.
Interviewer: Thank you very much for you responses. It has been good talking to you.
Nurse A: You most welcome
Principles of Ethics
From the interviews with patient A and Nurse A, it is possible to see how each of the principles applies to the two stories from the interviews. In the first case, the Principle of Beneficence applies especially when it comes to taking care of the patients. It is upon the nurse to offer services, care, and treatment that helps bring out the best in the patients. Additionally, the medical facility has the obligation to respect the autonomy of the patients with respect to their own lives for instance, respecting their decision not to bath in bed. In the medical field, trained and registerednurse’s aim at doing good and preventing harm. According to the principle of non-malfeasance, the nurses have an obligation to prevent harm and take actions that produce better conditions. Additionally, according to the Principle of Justice, the nurses have the obligation to treat the patients fairly, impartially, and equally. For example, if Patient A requests to be accorded privacy during bathing hours, it is upon the management to ensure that if his request is within the set parameters, he should be granted. However, in a situation in which his actions may put other patients in harm’s way, the medical facility, and staff have the duty to say no and reduce the request.
As a healthcare administrator, the above experiences offer critical lessons in handling patients and practicing Medicare in a busy facility. Additionally, it offers the author the opportunity to have a feel of how it is in dealing with complex situations in which a patient’s life is in one’s hands. In addition, as an administrator, it provides the opportunity to some of the challenges that arise in a complex medical healthcare.