In this unit, you will discuss two (2) healthcare issues facing healthcare administrators. In a 2page summary, you will identify the bioethical and political issues and discuss how you would effectively and ethically handle the situations. You must address both of the following scenarios.
Scenario 1: You are the healthcare administrator of a nursing home. You are informed by your Admissions Director that a new memory-impaired resident has been admitted into your long- term care unit. The staff is concerned about the involvement of family with your resident. Family members from out-of-town arrived and expressed concern about your resident’s do not resuscitate (DNR) orders which were authorized by the Power of Attorney of another family member. A quarrel erupts in the nursing home with family members voicing their opinions loudly. You arrive on the scene and are immediately told by the visiting family member, “Do you know who I am? I am a supervisor for the Department of Health and Human Services and will not hesitate to have your facility surveyed for noncompliance.” What do you do?
Scenario 2: You are the administrator of a for-profit healthcare clinic. The receptionist notifies you that a 15-year-old has arrived needing prenatal care and does not want her parents to know about her pregnancy. She is covered by her parent’s insurance and does not have enough money to privately pay for the visit. What do you do?
PLEASE NO PLAGIARISM!
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In healthcare, administrators are faced with numerous bioethical and political issues that require a careful approach to resolve. In this assignment, we will address two common scenarios and discuss how to ethically and effectively handle them.
Scenario 1:
As the healthcare administrator of a nursing home, you must handle a delicate situation involving a memory-impaired resident and their family members. The family members express concern about the resident’s DNR orders, which were authorized by another family member who holds the Power of Attorney. A quarrel ensues, and a visiting family member threatens to have the facility surveyed for noncompliance.
To effectively handle this situation, the healthcare administrator must first acknowledge the family’s concerns and make sure to listen to them carefully. The administrator should then verify the guidelines put in place regarding DNR orders and ensure that they are being followed correctly. If there is a violation, steps must be taken to correct it immediately.
The healthcare administrator should communicate with the family member using assertive language and establish their role in the organization while acknowledging the visitor’s concerns. It would be appropriate to direct the visitor to the proper complaint resolution process. The healthcare administrator must also assure the family that all the required regulations are in place and are being appropriately followed. The healthcare administrator should also schedule a follow-up meeting with the family to address their concerns and provide an update on any changes made.
Scenario 2:
As the administrator of a for-profit healthcare clinic, you are informed by the receptionist that a 15-year-old patient has arrived and requires prenatal care and does not want her parents to know about her pregnancy. The patient is covered by her parent’s insurance and does not have enough money to privately pay for the visit.
The healthcare administrator must handle this situation with care and empathy. It is essential to verify the requirements of patient confidentiality and make sure the patient understands them. The administrator must explain the importance of prenatal care and encourage the patient to inform her parents. If the patient is still reluctant, the administrator must inform the patient of other options, such as obtaining a judicial bypass, which would enable the patient to seek care without involving the parents.
The clinic administrator also should evaluate the organization’s policy regarding the provision of confidential care to minor patients. The administrator should assure patients that their privacy will be respected and the healthcare organization will comply with the established confidentiality laws and policies. The healthcare administrator should also make sure that the organization follows the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules and maintain all the records to comply with federal regulations.
Conclusion:
Handling bioethical and political issues in healthcare requires a careful and transparent approach. Effective communication, adherence to established guidelines, empathy, and respect for patients’ privacy rights are all critical factors to consider when addressing these issues successfully. As healthcare administrators, we must find ways to navigate these situations while maintaining ethical standards, providing quality care, and promoting positive patient outcomes, regardless of the challenges that arise.