nursesmatter

Thanks for your feedback. Upon admit to my unit that night, she was dehydrated and slightly hypothermic, but otherwise stable. Aside from some minor cuts and scratches, she didn't complain of any pain. Completely alert and oriented x4. She was fortunate to have gone through the accident with no major physical injury. According to her family, prior to the accident she was an alert, fully independent woman in her late 80's, that used no assistive devices with just a history of hypertension. And by the end of my 2-night stretch caring for her, she was downgraded and was just receiving minimal PT/OT rehab.

Thank you everyone for providing your input thus far. I am overwhelmed by the interest and the variety of responses to this issue. Everyone's insights are greatly appreciated.

Yes, it's probably time I revisit ethics 101 again. Thank you starting my review.

Just wondering... Is telling the patient allowable in our professional practice or should this be more of a responsibility for the attending MD? I was surprised that the physician got bullied by the family and didn't say anything either. I know through our education we learn ethical concepts, but I feel as though the multiple ethical concepts sometimes contradict themselves and offer a gray area sometimes. Damned if you do, damned if you don't??? At the time, I wasn't sure if I could be putting my job (and personal safety from an angry grieving family) in jeopardy if the family or MD reported me, so I just kept my mouth shut. Thanks again for the feedback!

thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts!

Hi, thanks for sharing your thoughts and support. I have never been involved with an ethics consult so your experience with them is greatly appreciated! But yes, those were 2 difficult 12-hour shifts to endure.

Hello. I have a question to ask because I have been reading about ethical issues and moral distress. I recently experienced an event on my unit which caused multiple staff including myself to feel frustrated and somewhat angry. I cared for one member of an elderly couple that were involved in an accident. Unfortunately, the woman's husband passed during the accident. She survived and I cared for her for 2 days immediately after the event. Her adult children were present at her bedside throughout her hospitalization for her emotional well-being. Upon arrival to my unit, one of her family members pulled me aside and told me (not asked) not to disclose her husband's death because they wanted her to get well first, then eventually tell her. Family members also told each staff that provided her care the same thing. During the 2 days I cared for her, multiple times she asked me about the condition of her husband. Whenever she asked me this, I looked at her family members and they would glare at me. So I ended-up distracting her or would tell her to focus on her healing first. Not telling her what happened to her husband ate me inside. If that were my significant other, I would want to know right away. Finally, the family told her about her husband's death on her 5th day of hospitalization. I'm not sure but I feel as though this type of situation may be more common than I think. But my question is: Do you think this is an ethical issue that could have initiated an ethics consult??? Thanks for your input!