Is There an Ethical Mandate to Practice Without Proper Personal Protective Equipment?
J Hosp Palliat Nurs
; 23(2): 114-119, 2021 04 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1072475
ABSTRACT
In the spring of 2020, a novel virus known as COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) was introduced to the human population, and the world faced a global pandemic with far-reaching consequences. One of the most difficult challenges that nurses faced in the midst of the crisis was the lack of proper personal protective equipment (PPE). The lack of PPE left health care professionals with a complicated ethical dilemma Is there an ethical duty to care for patients in the absence of proper PPE? This article seeks to help the individual nurse (a) understand the ethical dilemma and the tensions that it brings, (b) look to the literature for guidance, and (c) understand how individuals can apply these ethical principles. After careful analysis, the recommendation is for the individual nurse to make a thorough assessment of their personal situation. This will include consideration for their family, community, financial responsibilities, legal protections, organizational policies, and personal health risk. Finally, this article serves as a call to organizations and professional leaders to increase their support of frontline health care workers and provide the individual nurse with the information they need in order to make sound decisions.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ethics, Nursing
/
Personal Protective Equipment
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
J Hosp Palliat Nurs
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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