Legal and Ethical Implications

[TINAMARIE28]

:) Can anyone give me examples of legal or ethical implications that you have recently encountered on your unit? They can be examples of ethical or unethical, legal or illegal. If legal or illegal, how do they relate to the Nurse Practice Act? I am writing a paper for school. Thanks for your input! :) Tina

[pricklypear]

I experienced what I considered to be unethical conduct on the part of a doctor last month. I admitted a patient with accidental OD. I'm not a psych nurse, but this guy had several psych diagnoses - including schizophrenia. He was lethargic when admitted, but able to answer questions. He had some symptoms since his last admission that could indicate AIDS. Mainly wt loss. The psych DR went ahead and ordered an HIV screen on him. The nurse I followed didn't think we needed consent, so the pt didn't even know about the order. Anyway, I decided he should consent to being tested - guess what? He didn't want to. He was not very happy that he had almost been tested against his will. The next day, they tested him anyway (he didn't know). This happened twice on my unit (different docs). The other pt was an alcoholic going thru DTs and in no condition to consent. Some people on this board have told me it is illegal in their state to screen anybody, for any reason without written consent. We have no such law here in Kansas. But I still believe it's unethical.