Delegation: Communication and Accountability , Ethical Decision-Making - Coursework Example

Delegation and Ethical Decision Making Question Delegation Delegation is a process by which a task’s responsibilityand authority is transferred to individual who accepts the transfer. It is based on effective up-down and down-up communication in an organization or unit. However, the delegator retains accountability for the tasks delegated (Lipe & Beasley, 2004).The five rights of delegation are the right task, circumstances, person, communication and supervision. Considering the right task, a task may only be delegated if the delegator has responsibility and authority over it and if it has not been delegated to them.

From the right circumstances, a task is appropriate for delegation if it does not involve personal information or confidential issues that the person is not allowed to access. Considering the right person, tasks that require specific skills, knowledge and attitudes can only be delegated to a person who has such qualities. The right communication implies that a task will be appropriate for delegation if there are clear instructions and information concerning it. Lastly, a task that requires a certain level supervision and monitoring, cannot be delegated unless that level of monitoring and supervision is available.

These rights of delegation are applied in decisions concerning what tasks a manager will delegate and to whom the tasks will be delegated (Lipe & Beasley, 2004).Question 2Ethical DilemmasThe common ethical principles are the principle of autonomy, beneficence, justice, fidelity and confidentiality. Autonomy refers to self-determination and freedom of choice. Every person has a right to make personal informed decisions. Beneficence is a principle that directs professionals to always ‘do good’, it is often closely tied to non-maleficence, the principle of ‘do no harm’.

Justice means fair treatment and equality while confidentiality guides the controlled sharing of clients’ information and observance of privacy of others. Fidelity means keeping of one’s word and promises (Benjamin & Curtis, 2010).In a clinical setting, a patient with a gangrenous foot was scheduled for amputation. After the need for the procedure was explained in order to obtain consent, the client declined to give consent. The health care providers were faced with an ethical dilemma, they wanted to help the client and ‘do good’ to him by preventing the spread of the infection (beneficence), but the client had a right to make a personal choice (autonomy).

References Benjamin, M., & Curtis, J. (2010). Ethics in nursing: Cases, principles, and reasoning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Lipe, S. K., & Beasley, S. (2004). Critical thinking in nursing: A cognitive skills workbook. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.