T1 - Ethics and law in paramedic practice, T2 - Boundaries of capacity and interests. Disclosure of errors; quality improvement activities; the practice of defensive medicine; dealing with patients who wish to leave against medical advice; provision of . While clinical information should always be held in confidence, the stigma associated with mental illness means that most patients value their privacy more so in this regard, and paramedics have a duty to ensure they do not share this information, even inadvertently.
Together they form a unique fingerprint. Therefore, where appropriate, the MHA is likely to take precedence over the MCA where a patient is being treated for a mental health disorder. (PDF) Law and Ethics for Paramedics: An Essential Guide Confusions surrounding said laws have been extracted from the case report and discussed in more generic terms in order to be more readily applicable to other similar cases. However, what should paramedics do when their intended, evidence based course of treatment is different from the patients own wishes? Sample Essay on Law and Ethics in Paramedical Science The ethical principle of respect for the patients autonomy presupposes the non-interference in the freedom of their decisions and choices (Steer, 2007). All of these actions may devaluate the positive results of treatment and harm patients health and well-being. A. Therefore, they should consider the needs and requirements of patients and act correspondingly. Among the most significant and complicated ethical dilemmas in nursing, it is possible to distinguish the problem of euthanasia, abortion, truth-telling as opposed to deliberate deception, and freedom contrary to control. The ethical principle of non-maleficence means that paramedicine practitioners should discuss the probable negative consequences of their decisions and prevent them in order not to harm the patients. 40: . Ethical Challenges in Emergency Medical Services: Controversies and While not criminally liable, registered health professionals (including paramedics) do have a clear professional and ethical duty to act upon instances of known or suspected child abuse or neglect. 3 The ethical and legal frameworks within paramedic practice, and relevant to legislation. A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because he makes an unwise decision. The principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act 1983. Besides, their classification sets the right vision for the development of paramedicine and provides it with the required tools and methods of acting and solving various dilemmas. School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedic Practice This can make the balance of patient care and patient autonomy exceedingly difficult to strike, and lead to a number of ethical and legal dilemmas for paramedics (Townsend and Luck, 2009). Following the legal side of the treatment is a great step toward establishing qualitative and appropriate services. Paramedical practice should not neglect the intentions of patients to undergo certain types of treatment but fulfill the required tasks responsibly and credibly (Sharp, Palmore, & Grady, 2014). Healthcare practices include many ethical dilemmas, and their solution influences both the personnel and patients. He wants to stay at home with his dog, who he feels safe with.Even though Terry legally lacks the capacity to make a decision against being transported to hospital, he is still a human being with agency and a level of intelligence. After completing this module, the paramedic will be able to: If you would like to send feedback, please email jpp@markallengroup.com. Integrated health care including mental health. Vulnerable patients may not have the capacity to consent to their own healthcare, or their vulnerability may mean their interests need protection. Notify the family that once CPR has been initiated, you are required to transport the patient. The data for the case report is gathered from personal experience and presented as a piece of academic, reflective practice from which to learn. The paramedics should consider every individual case and act fairly and objectively in every situation (Beauchamp & Childress, 2008). Copyright 2023
Analyse Legal and Ethical Issues Facing Paramedics The ethical and legal dilemmas paramedics face when managing a mental health patient | Journal Of Paramedic Practice Features The ethical and legal dilemmas paramedics face when managing a mental health patient The ethical and legal dilemmas paramedics face when managing a mental health patient Samantha May Monday, January 2, 2017 They must also deliver care that is consistent with ethical standards and respectful of the expectations, preferences and beliefs of the patient. In this case, John refused to engage with the ambulance crew leading the crew to consider both the MCA and the MHA to protect the patient's wellbeing without his consent. Here we provide services and products that are for reference purpose only & are not intended to be put forward as finalised work & are to be used strictly for assistance in writing your own research material papers. There are many ethical issues that are encountered during the prehospital care of children and adults. Vulnerable patients are at an increased risk of harm or exploitation in healthcare. Ethics and law in paramedic practice: Boundaries of capacity and care passports). A major concern in healthcare ethics (including within paramedicine) is the protection of vulnerable persons within the realms of patient-practitioner interactions (Moritz, 2017; Townsend, 2017; Ebbs and Carver, 2019). Legal and ethical practice in care. This article addresses these questions by exploring the relationship between healthcare ethics, health law and evidence-based practice in paramedicine.". For others, their mental illness may impede them in such a way that clinicians will deem the person unable to make decisions about their own healthcare. Cuts in public health and community services funding have decimated programs, leaving unmet health needs. In the UK, paramedics are currently not able to utilise any part of the MHA, though it is debated whether this would be beneficial (Berry, 2014; DOH, 2014). However, paramedics must be aware that it is a medical event that is occurring and the person is generally not being held for criminal reasons. Not surprisingly, the paramedics encounter many ethical and legal dilemmas as a part of their professional activities. A significant ethical consideration for clinicians when treating older patients is their capacity. Least restrictive option and maximising independence - Where it is possible to treat a patient safely and lawfully without detaining them under the Act, the patient should not be detained. Paramedics interact with these patients every day, often during times of such vulnerability. It seems important to note that had John been in a private place, this option would have been void, which may have presented an even more complex situation to manage safely and legally. Harris and Millman (2011) highlight the importance of ruling out a physical cause for the patient presenting with altered mental status such as hypoglycaemia, head injuries, infection and alcohol or drug use. This may entail organising supervision or support, transporting both the patient and their dependants in more than one ambulance if need be or arranging neighbour, support services or family visits. Paramedics play an integral part in community end-of-life care (EoLC) in the UK, especially given the lack of out-of-hours cover by palliative care specialists. This article addresses these questions by exploring the relationship between healthcare ethics, health law and evidence-based practice in paramedicine. Such a position will help improve the system and lead to effective and fruitful results. Ethics and law in paramedic practice: boundaries of capacity and Paramedics are required to make these decisions within settings that are often disordered, uncontrolled and unpredictable, where all the relevant information and circumstances are not fully known. Sign up to Journal of Paramedic Practices regular newsletters and keep up-to-date with the very latest clinical research and CPD we publish each month. It seems paramount that whichever decision is made and Act is used, should the patient receive any form of involuntary treatment, the principles of the MCA and the MHA are upheld, and any decision made is in the patients best interest (Department of Health, 2005). This principle refers to both physical and mental damage, which can be done to the clients. Pre Hospital Ethics and Legal Issues - LawTeacher.net Moreover, the principle of beneficence involves the necessity to provide sufficient and professional communication and interaction with such patients, without demonstrating their subjective judgments and assessments of the situation. He is an intelligent and articulate 10-year-old boy, and also has leukaemia. In the theory of principle based ethics a paramedic must practise non-maleficence and beneficence. The ethical responsibilities of a paramedic also include acting fairly and helping any patient who needs it, regardless of their race, age, gender, religion or another personal characteristic.. Ethics in EMS: 10 things you need to know to save lives This guidance helps you to explore and understand the issues of trust in the doctor-patient relationship and looks at factors affecting patients' vulnerability. Paramedics should be able to find good solutions to these dilemmas, but they have not received much attention . An act done, or decision made, under this Act for or on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be done, or made, in his best interests. Understanding capacity to consent to research (capacity) The first theme addresses physical and mental capacity and the ability of patients in the ambulance setting to make informed choices. While the second article in this series (Carver et al, 2020) discussed mental illness where it related to end-of-life care and self-harm, it should be remembered that patient vulnerability can exist in those with chronic mental illness over their lifetime. Such an approach preserves all ethical aspects of the paramedical profession since it shows respect to patients and reveals professional competence and help at once (Blaber, 2012). This article addresses these questions by exploring the relationship between healthcare ethics, health law and evidence-based practice in paramedicine. Elder abuse is often perpetuated by family members, friends and care workers (Biggs et al, 2009). How does a paramedic use chemistry? [FAQ!] Before the act is done, or the decision is made, regard must be had to whether the purpose for which it is needed can be as effectively achieved in a way that is less restrictive of the person's rights and freedom of action. Chapter 4 Medical, Legal and Ethical Issues Flashcards | Quizlet John had arrived at a friend's house during the night, behaving in a strange, confused manner. A patient who is treated by paramedics may be vulnerable because they lack the capacity to consent to treatment or, if they do have the capacity to consent to treatment, they lack the ability (or avenues) to express their worries about that treatment, or to defend themselves in circumstances where their consent has been misinterpreted.