Hsa515 - Assisted Suicide

“Assisted Suicide”

Law, Health Care Policy, and Ethics - HSA515

2011

Grade: 320 out of 320 - Your paper was very well written. You discussed each topic in great detail, provided examples, and case law. It was very interesting to read.

Abstract

This paper is discussing topics related to a hypothetical scenario at a Cancer Center. It will: identify and explain at least three: ethical considerations, legal considerations, and business considerations related to assisted suicide; explain how the Patient Bill of Rights applies to this assisted suicide scenario, and recommend what the manager should do and why.

Key words: the Patient Bill of Rights and assisted suicide

Assisted Suicide

1. Explain how the patient Bill of Rights applies to this case.

The patient Bill of Rights is a document that attempts to ensure “collaboration between patients, physicians, and other health care professionals through open and honest communication; respect for personal and professional values, and sensitivity to differences are integral to optimal patient care” (AHA).

The Patient Bill of Rights applies to this case integrally because Mrs. Jones is: 1) not receiving quality care because Nancy Nurse is being inconsiderate and disrespectful to the patient by not including the patient in her care; 2) not involved in the ‘assisted suicide’ decision, as there has been no discussion on the matter between Nancy Nurse and the patient; 3) most likely, not aware that she can use advance directives, “living wills and medical powers of attorney…allowing a patient to give instructions about future medical care and appoint a person to make healthcare decisions if the patient is unable” (WebMD) to help treat her as her disease progresses, i.e., a DNR – Do-Not-Resuscitate Order is “a physician's written order instructing healthcare providers not to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of cardiac or respiratory arrest. Although the DNR order...