Ethical Dilemma: to Rescue Others at What Risk - Essay Example

"Ethical Dilemma: to Rescue Others at What Risk?" is a decent example of a paper on medical ethics.
Heath workers are supposed to display medical ethics and professionalism when dealing with disasters. They are also supposed to show the calmness and sound judgment in any emergency situation. The ethical dilemma in the case is that the nurse is bound by the ethics to protect her patients while at the hospital. She feels obliged to go back for her patients who have been left behind due to the hurricane. Despite the fact that she is at safety, the calls from her patients torment her. She decides to invoke personal ethics to rescue the patients. However, one man is adamant about going back since the place is burning. It is quite risky to go inside. Thus, the dilemma is whether to go and save the patients at high risk or just watch them suffocate to death in favor of personal safety.

My Ethical Position in this Case

I believe that the nurse is right to consider going back to rescue other patients. The decisions are consistent with care ethics. Care ethics calls for the maintenance of relationships and minding people with who you are in a relationship. In this case, the nurse has a relationship with her patients. The close bond makes her feel remorseful about their situation. In this regard, it is important to show concern by trying to go back to save them. In case they are unable to save them, at least there should be evidence of an attempt to save them.

Alternatives for Resolving the Problem

From the case, the biggest hindrance to rescue is fire. Thus, one alternative would be trying to put off the fire using all means. Assuming that the institution has wall-mounted portable fire extinguishers, the men can fight a way through to get to the patients. Another alternative would be to call emergency services. A hospital scene would receive quick attention due to the number of people trapped in it. Thus, emergency services are likely to respond quickly. The nurse should be prepared to take the ethical risk of rescuing her patients (Grimaldi, 2007).

Consequences of the Alternatives

The alternatives can be ideal if they are successful. Deciding to use fire extinguishers to fight the way through could result in a disaster. Fire and smoke may surround the rescuers and thus lead to more fatalities. In this regard, pushing the way through the fire is risky. If successful, the results can justify any means used. Calling the emergency department would be too ambitious since they may be overstretched. The consequence is that patients may lose their lives while the people at safety do nothing about it.

Prioritizing Alternatives

From the two alternatives, I would prioritize going in to rescue the patients as fast as possible before the fire becomes unbearable. Cries indicate that although there is danger, it is not yet fatal, and people can survive if they are braced for it. Thus, having portable extinguishers would clear the way or fast rescue. The second alternatives would be my second priority since it involves depending on another party who does not understand the current situation nor are they present at the site.

Plan of Action

Since people can be heard crying inside the building, it means that the fire is not strong enough to suffocate them. Thus, any other person willing to take the risk can enter.

1. The first step would be to enter the building and unmount the fire extinguishers mounted on the walls.
2. The second step is to extinguish the fire along the way making sure the fire is fully put out.
3. The third step would involve locating the patients and walking with them to the rooftop.