The NMC Code of Conduct - Essay Example

NURSING: PROFESSIONAL LAW AND ETHICS Introduction Medical law remains a legal aspect which focuses onthe development and implementation of policies which govern the ethical provision of medical services within the hospitals. The ethical values of professional practice become defined within the context of the laws which are utilised within the profession. The existence of numerous laws remains an essential element which enhances the professionalism of nurses within the healthcare sector. Through the provisions provided in the various policies and guidelines, many individuals become assured of the effective functioning of medical institution and feels safe when receiving the services. This becomes an essential element in reducing the potential risks associated with the provision of services and the standardisation of the professional values. Understanding the various elements involved in determining the ethics and values of professional practice remains an essential aspect for ensuring continued quality in the service delivery within the healthcare sector. This report presents ethical and legal considerations in the case in which a patient has been diagnosed with diabetes. The patient became obese when she stopped eating healthy and was overdosing on her medication, which led to her kidney failure and for this reason she was admitted to the acute ward. She has been feeling stigmatised because of her weight and disclosed that she deliberately put herself in this position because she has given up. She has also been recently diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). She also underwent an endoscopic procedure to ascertain cause of anaemia. Before her admission, she was a very healthy and hardworking school guidance and councillor. Her husband is still alive but also very ill and because her husband has always been a healthy person, she did not understand while he had a stroke attack, which saw him admitted to a stroke unit. NMC code of conduct The NMC code of conduct can be described as the fundamental document presenting guidelines to practicing nurses across the United Kingdom. The provisions of the guideline seek to ensure the nurses perform their duties in accordance to developed standards, seeking to enhance the quality of services provided within the healthcare sector. The code provides guidelines regarding the expectations of the governing body from the services rendered by the nurses upon the individuals seeking healthcare services(Goldsmith, 2011). Complying with the provisions of the code remains a fundamental requirement for all practicing nurses within UK, as they become liable for the decisions and actions which they take while delivering care to patients. The NMC code of conducts provides guideline regarding the way nurses should handle patients who come seeking medial services. The confidentially of the patient’s medical information remains a fundamental element of concern within the professional practice. This involves ensuring that the patients have access to the relevant information which regards their health condition and status. In providing the care the nurses must act with the best interest of the patient in mind. This would enhance the experience of the patient regarding the services provided within the particular facility visited by the individual. The tests performed which produce new information, must be communicated to the patient at an appropriate time, in seeking to ensure the patient becomes utterly satisfied with the services provided in the hospital. The nurses are expected to make the issues facing patients become part of their concerns in delivering quality services within the healthcare facilities. Information sharing remains an essential element which could ensure the effectiveness of the services provided within the healthcare facilities. Within the case scenario described here, the nurses must inform the patient about the cause of the anaemia as established from the results of the endoscopic procedure. Nurses are expected to provide accurate information to other medical practitioners who might be involved in providing medical care to patients, and ensure the patients and family menders remains informed regarding the treatment being administered. Within the context of the case described above, it becomes essential for the care providers to explain to the patient the relevant facts concerning the condition which the patient is suffering from. This would minimise the worry experienced by the patient regarding the conditions which has affected her. This would become a fundamental attribute in the promotion of health and well-being of the patient as stipulated within the code of conduct. The nurses are expected to maintain high standards of care during their practice at all times. This becomes enhanced through keeping proper and accurate records which are essential in making diagnosis of different patients. Historical information remains critical to the administration of medication upon hospitalised patients. The information would enable the nurses to understand the best interventions which they can provide to the patients for effectiveness of the treatment provided. This remains a fundamental aspects which can be utilised in making assessment of a patient regarding the different conditions which a patient might have(Crook, 2013). Cases in which patients suffer from multiple conditions could become handled with the required effectiveness following the assessment of the patient through checking the medical records. Nurses are expected to maintain their professionalism while undertaking their responsibilities in seeking to ensure effectiveness of the service delivery. Honesty remains an essential requirements which the nurses must possess when performing different responsibilities. The nurses must not appear to favour any of the individuals seeking medical services and must remain impartial to the patients(Goldsmith, 2011). The nurses providing care to the diabetic woman describe above must inform her of all the results of the diagnosis in order to ensure the patient understands the effects of the various ailments affecting her. In seeking to maintain professionalism, their relationship to the patients must not go beyond the professional level. This would ensure impartial provision of services according to the requirements of the code of conduct. NMC policy and guidelines on covert medication The NMC code of conduct requires professional nurses to always seek the consent of the patient in making decisions regarding the medical intervention which can be administered. During the professional practice however, sometimes patients become incapable of providing consents regarding the utilisation of medical interventions. The nurse must have essential information regarding the various conditions governing the patient in respect to the medicine being provided. The nurse must have information ascertaining the absence of any allergic reaction following the administration of medicine which the patient has not consented to receive. The historical information remains essential in making such decisions as patient might be affected negatively following the administration of the medical intervention. The administration of convert medicine remains an element which is considered in both ethical and legal terms, since the administration occurs without the consent of the patient. The nurses in this case cannot administer any covert medication because the patient is in position to give an informed consent. Various attributes regarding the patient’s condition must become ascertained in seeking to ensure effectiveness and eliminate possible errors in the administration of the medicine(Debnath, 2009). The medical records become a significant reference point in making decisions regarding administration of these medicine. The provisions of the NMC policy require the medial practitioner to undertake sufficient analysis of the patient before administering any medication without consent. This analysis is aimed at providing a justifiable course of action regarding the condition and the outcomes anticipated from the medication. The health condition of the patient must become assessed in seeking to ascertain the course of actions undertaken in administering medicine in a covert manner. The administration of covert medication remains an intervention which can only be utilised as a last resort following satisfaction of numerous considerations. The patients who have been determined as incapable of giving informed consent on medication are treated utilising this approach. The medical practitioners must however be able to justify the approach as being the only possible method for administering the required medication. Among many mentally ill individuals this form of intervention remains essential as the individuals cannot make sound decisions. The policy does not advocate for the utilisation of this approach n treatment of individuals unless conditions like limited knowledge of the patient necessitates the application of covert medication. Ethics Within the context of administering medicine to patients, various ethical issues commonly arise following the experiences which medical professional undergo. While all the medicine requires an informed consent from the patient before administration, the patient might lack knowledge and understanding of the impact of the medicine since this requires professional knowledge within the medical field. Patients might provide a consent not based on the information they have but upon the trust of the medical practitioner providing care(Bickerstaffe et al., 2006). It becomes the ethical responsibility of the care provider to inform the patient about the various impacts of the medication which the nurse intends to administer. Such information becomes essential in enabling the patient to make an informed decisions regarding the medication. The application of covert medication in the treatment of different conditions affecting patients raises numerous ethical questions within the professions. While the decision is commonly undertaken autonomously, and by a qualified and knowledgeable individuals, some underlying issues might result in professional errors which could be perceived as elements of negligence(Welsh & Deahl, 2002). Patients might have underlying concerns and allergies which might be known to them and not the medical professionals. Despite this being an approach which could be lifesaving, the patients must be informed of the medication and the possible effects, though they might not be informed about the mode of administration. With the patient’s knowledge, application of covert medication becomes non-autonomous though the application mode might remain a hidden element to the patient. Realistically, the administration of many medicine occurs without minimal knowledge of the patient, especially among hospitalised patients. Despite individuals becoming informed of the possible effects of drugs administered to them, they lack the professional knowledge in making comparison and determining other options to the proposed medicine. Many patients accept medication based on the belief that the care provider has selected the best possible medication(Henaghan, 2011). Despite being informed many patients still lack the basic medical information regarding the appearance of the medicine. It becomes the role of the care giver to uphold the professional ethics and provide the patient with accurate information, and administer the correct medication. Many hospitalised patients commonly remains concerned about their well-being and as long as they receive medication which the care provider deems fit, they remain contended. The information provided by the caregivers remains a formality which many patients do not understand and only accept for the purposes of regaining their well-being. The element of trust upon the caregiver plays a fundamental role in the decision making process undertaken by the patient. Unless a patient has information regarding medication, there is a very limited probability of a patient failing to consent to the administration of medicine which healthcare providers deem necessary(Mason, 2003). When patients refuse to partake medication for their own personal reasons, the medical professionals can resort to covert medication, which might be considered as unethical practice. Such decisions undertaken autonomously by the caregivers become unethical because of the failure to get an informed consent from a patient who was capable to provide such a consent. Patients have to be informed of the options which are available in their medication, not only in the type of drug but also the mode of administering the medication. This would be essential in making an informed decision by the patient following evaluation of the available options. This would become an informed consent since the patient is provided with different options regarding management of his/her heath. The professional ethics commonly require medical practitioners to ensure the patients become fully informed about the available treatment options. The information sharing element would be essential in ensuring that individuals make informed decisions regarding the forms of treatment they would like to receive for their well-being. The law The availability of medical laws remains a fundamental element which significantly influences the delivery of services within many healthcare facilities. Medical laws commonly seek to enhance the ethical values which practitioners must possess in ensuring there uniformity of the provision of services(Miola, 2007). These laws are commonly directed towards the practice and in the administration of medicine within the healthcare sector. The different legal aspects commonly concern the various elements which are aimed at reducing the risk presented by medicine to patients. While medicine remains a fundamental component in the treatment of diseases various diseases, improper utilisation of medication presents a significant risk to the patient. Medical laws become the governing guideline aimed at ensuring that that medical practitioners maintain professionalism in conducting their activities. There are numerous legislative statutes which govern the elements of medicine in seeking to enhance the medical ethics which nurses must adhere to. These laws are commonly drafted in seeking to provide guidelines regarding the ethical elements of professional nursing practice(Pattinson, 2009). The medical practice involves numerous activities undertaken at different stages of providing treatment. These legislative measures commonly enable the medical practitioners to conduct their activities in an ethical manner, while reducing the risk on the patients being treated. The laws include different forms of laws including policies and statutory clauses, as well as governing bodies’ guidelines established by different professional bodies. Some of the fundamental roles existing within the profession include the following laws. The Mental Capacity Act of 2005 This is a statutory law which is applicable within England and Wales. The legislations seeks to provide guidelines into the provisions regarding the capacity to make medical decisions on behalf of individuals who lack the capacity to make such decisions. These decisions remain fundamental in administering medication to different patients who might be incapacitated to make sound decisions from various conditions(Parliament of the United Kingdom, 2005). This statute provides protection to individuals who might lack the capacity through maximising the ability for individuals to participate and become involved in the decision making process. The various provisions of the act remains essential in determining the capability for individuals to make specific decisions. The administration of covert medication becomes clarified within the legal provisions of the clause(Atkinson, 2006). This eliminates the legal liabilities which might result from nurses administering covert medication to patients. Covert administration of medicines policy and guidelines This is a policy which has been developed in seeking to assist medical staff in the administration of covert medication. The administration of covert medication raises numerous ethical and legal issues within the professional nursing profession. The policy provides guidelines for practicing nurses through which they can legally utilise covert medication in regard to other existing legal provisions governing the utilisation of covert medication. This policy seeks to ensure there is an ethical consideration before the administration of covert medication on hospitalised patients(Preston, 2004). The policy has been developed in regard to consideration of other national legislations concerning medicine including the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the Mental Health Act (1983). Control of Medicines Policy This is a policy which has been adopted in seeking to ensure medicine becomes utilised in the best possible manner in seeking to eliminate the adverse effects which might result in improper utilisation of medication. This policy seeks to ensure the maintenance of professional practices regarding the utilisation of medicine for different functions within the healthcare sector. This policy remains based on other existing legal aspects within the healthcare provision sector, aimed at ensuring effectiveness of the medical treatment utilised in administering healthcare to patients. The policy remains a fundamental guideline in the process of prescribing, ordering dispensing and administering medicine within different setting in the healthcare sector. The policy provides for the records regarding medication prescribed to patients to be kept for future reference Conclusion The NMC code of conduct describes the numerous professional expectations which nurses and midwives must adhere to, during the provision of healthcare services. The provisions of this code govern the numerous aspects of professional nursing practice which become the ethical values of professional practice. Adherence to the provisions of the code remains a mandatory element for all individuals working within the profession. These provisions commonly become essential in standardising the various aspects of the professional conduct. Despite the existence of this ethical code of conduct, there are also other regulations which provide essential regulation in the profession. In the administration of covert medication, for example, is also governed by the Mental Capacity Act, which provides descriptions of the various elements which are considered in administering such treatment. The combination of numerous policies becomes essential in ensuring a comprehensive regulation into the various healthcare issues affecting the medical professions and the patients as well. References Atkinson, J. (2006). Private and Public Protection: Civil Mental Health Legislation. Edinburgh: Dunedin Academic Press. Bickerstaffe, R., Brock, P., Husson, J. M., Rubin, I., Bragman, K., Paterson, K., & Sommerville, A. (2006). Ethics and pharmaceutical medicine–the full report of the Ethical Issues Committee of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 60(2), 242–252. Crook, M. A. (2013). The Risks of Absolute Medical Confidentiality. Science and Engineering Ethics, 19(1), 107–122. Debnath, R. (2009). Professional Skills in Nursing: A Guide for the Common Foundation Programme (p. 224). London: Sage Publications. Goldsmith, J. (2011). The NMC code: conduct, performance and ethics. Nursing Times, 107(37), 12–14. Henaghan, M. (2011). Health Professionals and Trust: The Cure for Healthcare Law and Policy. London: Routledge. Mason, J. K. (2003). Law and Medical Ethics. London: Lexisnexis Uk. Miola, J. (2007). Medical Ethics and Medical Law: A Symbiotic Relationship. New York: Hart Publishing. Parliament of the United Kingdom. Mental Capacity Act 2005 (2005). UK: UK Statute Law Database. Retrieved from http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents Pattinson, S. D. (2009). Medical Law and Ethics. London: Sweet & Maxwell. Preston, R. M. (2004). Drug errors and patient safety: the need for a change in practice. British Journal of Nursing, 13, 72–78. Welsh, S., & Deahl, M. (2002). Covert medication — ever ethically justifiable? Psychiatric Bulletin, 26(4), 123–126.  Read More