2. The principles of proper professional
conduct concerning the rights and duties
of nurses themselves, their patients, and
their fellow practitioners, as well as their
actions in the care of patients and in
relations with their families
-US National Library of Medicine
Ethics, Nursing
3. The study of the philosophy, nature, social
foundations, history, law, composition, role,
theories, Ethics & social relationships of
nursing.
EACH section is a specific area of study in
Nursing
Nursing is a science and an art
4. Nurses` declaration
Foundation of ethical decision-making
Own personal integrity
Respect for Life, human dignity, rights of
other persons
Guidance for Professional conduct
Guidance for Ethical committees
Ethical Values and Principles
-SANC, 2013. Code of Ethics for Nursing Practitioners in
SA.
5. Social Justice- fairness, patient`s advocate
Non-maleficence- no harm
Beneficence- do good, best option
Veracity- be truthful and honest, show integrity
Fidelity- confidentiality, factual record keeping
Altruism- Humanity, Unselfishness, Self-
lessness
Autonomy- patients` rights
Caring- nurturing and positive emotions
6. Nurses must:
Value human life
Have respect and dignity for yourself and others
Patients have the right to:
Quality nursing care
Accurate, informed consent
Refusal of treatment
Confidentiality & Privacy (POPI Act)
A culture of Safety
-SANC, 2013. Code of Ethics for Nursing Practitioners in SA.
7. What could happen to you if you don’t
comply?
Suffer reputational damage
Lose customers and fail to attract new ones
Pay out millions in damages to a civil class
action
Be fined up to R10 million or face 10 years
in jail
-PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ACT 4 OF 2013
8. “A health service may not be provided
to a user without the user`s informed
consent”
-National Health Act., 2003. Section 7
9. 9.5.3.1 A minor over the age of 18 years can be
treated as an adult and is legally competent to
decide on all forms of treatment and medical
procedures (Child Care Act).
9.5.3.2 Children of 12 years of age are legally
competent to decide on medical treatment only
(Child Care Act).
9.5.3.3 A child over the age of 12 years is legally
competent to consent to a termination
of pregnancy (Choice on Termination of Pregnancy
Act).
-National Health Act., 2003. Section 7
10. The South African Constitution provides that “a
child’s best interests are paramount in every
matter concerning a child”.
11. Health care practitioners should be careful
about relying on a patient's apparent
compliance with a procedure as a form of
consent.
Submission in itself may not necessarily
indicate consent. For example, the fact that a
patient lies down on an examination couch
does not indicate that the patient has
understood what the health care practitioner
proposes to do and why. Consent must at all
times be expressed and not implied.
THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA. GUIDELINES FOR GOOD PRACTICE.
Booklet 9, 2008
12. Any condition or disease
Diagnosis and prognosis
Prognosis, if left untreated
Pain management
Side effects & Risks
Life style changes
Is it experimental?
THE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA. GUIDELINES FOR GOOD PRACTICE.
Booklet 9, 2008
13. “The nurse, as patient advocate, plays an important
role in communicating and supporting the wishes of
the patient, even when doing so may be against the
opinions of the family and physician.
The ability to influence patient care outcomes also
depends on the power a nurse has in relationships
with physicians and other team members. A nurse
gains power through establishing positive, collegial,
working relationships with physicians, other nurses,
and all the members of the health care team.
Productive relationships increase a nurse’s power to
base care decisions on ethical principles”
-Code of Ethics for nursing practitioners in SA (SANC, 2013)
14.
15. Nurses` responsibility for swab and instrument
control (theatre)
Accurate Record keeping
Restless patients must not be left alone
Termination of treatment can only be lawful if no
quality of life remains (Living Will)
Suspected drunken driving: blood may be taken
against patient's will
In an emergency nurses must render whatever
assistance they can (what would a reasonable
nurse have done?)
16.
17. Some decisions need to be made within an
ethical committee
The more diverse the ethical committee, the more
ethically & morally sound the decision will be
Are we doing it because it is the right thing to do,
or are we doing it because we can?
18. Termination of pregnancy
Trading products of conception and other
human parts
Participation in and conducting clinical research
Providing nursing to vulnerable persons
Conflicting values (cultures, sexual orientation..)
Euthanasia
Intimidation and violent acts in the work place
Participating in strikes
19. Not adhering to the Code of Conduct of SANC
attracts the same sanctions as non-adherence to
the Act & Omissions and may bring our fitness to
practice into question & endanger our registration
to practice
20. Nursing Act
Health Professions Act, Ethical Rules
National Health Act
Mental health Act
Children's Act
Medicines control and related Substances Act
Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI)
21. Ethics is the study of good and bad, of moral
duty and obligations. Ethics is concerned with
doing good and avoiding harm.
Bandman & Bandman, 2002
22. Chally, P., & Loriz, L. (1998). Decision making in practice:
A practical model for resolving the types of ethical
dilemmas you face daily. American Journal of Nursing,
98(6), 17 – 20.
National Health Act., 2003. Section 7.
Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013.
SANC. (2013). Code of Ethics for Nursing Practitioners in
South Africa.
The Health Care Professions Council of South Africa.
Guidelines for good practice. Booklet 9, 2008.
Verschoor, T., et al. (2007). Nursing and the Law. Juta &
Co Limited.
