Bioethics Findings and Observations

Bioethics is the application of ethical principles in the field of medicine. The committee in charge of this is tasked with ensuring that all medical practitioners follow the correct code of conduct (Davis et al., 2013). From time to time, the nursing profession has expanded. Many improvements are being implemented by professionals in order to improve the efficiency of services. Conventional service delivery is vastly different from what is currently available. The standard of ethics is high, and there is a lot of pressure put on medical care providers to put the patient first. Bioethics stems out from the research work which is performed to come up with people ways to alleviate pain from the patients (DeGrazia et al., 2011). To conduct such a research, there must be well established strategies which require to be followed. The people who are tasked with this responsibility is the bioethics committees.

They are such an essential organ in any hospital since they guide innovation and delivery of perfect services. Dynamic progress in the area of nursing and medicine has made it a requirement to embrace bioethics committee in the hospitals. They are important when doctors and other service providers are faced with ethical issues while administering their duties. It constitute of interdisciplinary combination. Biomedical experts, legal and even religious leaders are included to have a fair representation when handling pertinent issues within the hospital. The interview was conducted to evaluate appreciation and use of this committees in the local hospital (Traphagan, 2013). Although it is a requirement to have such people in a health centers, their role does not clearly reflect to the public. Some of the hospitals are faced with serious wrangles which the committee can be able to handle. Therefore, it leaves the public and patient on the role which these people play in mitigating such incidences from occurring. The interview was conducted by attending chatting with the chairperson. Furthermore, some information were gotten by attending one of their meeting to get idea of what they discuss.

Findings and Observations

From the discussion with the chairperson, it was discovered that the committee aimed to have a fair representation in handling of the matters pertaining to the hospital. This was enacted by having relevant people included in the group. Physicians who were specialist in particular field were part of the teams. This was followed by nurses, who were majority in the team. The idea behind this is that nurses have direct contact with the patients. They interact with them in wards and thus have an idea of common problems which the patients undergo through. They are also the majority in any hospital hence vulnerable to ethical issues (Davis et al., 2013). The other group which was represented was legal team. There must be a lawyer to ensure everything the team proposes is under the law and does not violate human rights.

Psychologist are also part of the committee. Their role here is to give a guided interpretation of various psychological issues which staff members normally undergo while at work (DeGrazia et al., 2011). Finally, chaplain or a religious leaders is also included, to bring a religious understanding of the issues being handles. Notably, there were some consideration for one to be a member. It was discovered that the employees of the hospital were not required to be part of the teams. It comprised of experts who were not associated with the local hospital by any means. This was done so to avoid biasness while making major decisions. Furthermore sponsors of clinical trials were not allowed to sit in this team whatsoever.

Chairperson disclosed that the committee has been of help in uplifting the standard of services which are offered in this hospital. He argued that the functionality of various department have been streamlined through the advice of the experts and regular performance appraisal. The committee functions through making decisions and thorough survey of the work performed by various medical staff. One of its function is protecting the rights of the patients and medical prarctioners (Davis et al., 2013). Health care providing organizations are faced with a lot of ethical violation. It occurs on both the patient and the service provider. The role of this committee is to ensure that nurses treats the patients in the right manner, according to the laws stipulated in their job description. Sometime nurses and doctors go beyond control by using abusive language towards the patients (Traphagan, 2013). This is unacceptable since it affects recovery period of the patient. On the other hand, the staff can be subjected to oppression by patient. This can be through physical or oral assault.

The second role described by the chairperson was search for basis to arrive at ethical decision. From the explanation given, he argued that the team is stationed to come up with strategic plans would improve the performance and growth of health services. Their first role is to ensure interpersonal relationship is core and well dealt with in the organization. They intervene in case of conflicts among the staff, and come up with amicable solution (Traphagan, 2013). Thus, one can say that the team is a mediator to help solve issues which would prevent performance. Furthermore, the team deals with humanization of medicine. There is a certain limit beyond which medication can proof to be inhumane. The medical staff are supposed to understand the condition of the patient before going ahead and giving medication. This is because there are some instances where wrong diagnosis is done, which results to further problems instead of assisting the patient heal. The committee is there to advocate for correct and accurate diagnosis which is less of errors. The chairman affirmed that ethical consideration were much of interest for this group, and has continually been of help in the hospital.

Decisions and recommendations are made through consensus. This is whereby the team leader allows the members to contribute their ideas concerning the issue which is being discussed. They evaluate the magnitude of the problems by invoking all possible expertise input. The issue is looked at in all dimensions. Since the committee has representation from all disciplines required, the decisions made are considered helpful. This is later followed by recommendations which are derived from the agreement made by the team members. The chairman confirmed that the group has contributed to quality service delivery in the hospital. This is through mitigation of organization wrangles. Conflicts do not miss in any of the functional organization (Davis et al., 2013). They emanate from differing opinions and diversity which occurs. The only way to solve this is striving to accommodate each other. Additionally, the committee has improved patient satisfaction in the hospital. They are handled well and given the right services due to improved working environment.

References

Davis, J. W., Hoffmaster, C. B., Shorten, S., University of Western Ontario., University of Western Ontario (London, Ont.). University of Western Ontario., & Colloquium on Biomedical Ethics. (2013). Contemporary issues in biomedical ethics. London, Marston Gate: Amazon UK.

DeGrazia, D., Mappes, T. A., & Brand-Ballard, J. (2011). Biomedical ethics. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.

Traphagan, J. W. (2013). Rethinking autonomy: A critique of principles in biomedical ethics. Albany: State University of New York Press.