In healthcare organizations, ethical principles have been emphasized mostly through procedures and mission statements. The numerous oaths (Hippocratic Oath) and declarations found in healthcare institutions have stated principles and values, and this has formed the basis for ethical practices. The works of such ethical principles include and are not limited to nonmaleficence, beneficence, confidentiality, respect for the autonomy of patients, and justice (Gabel, 2011).
The ethical principles of an organization that I served previously influenced the care of patients negatively because of the frustrations and stress coming from the administrative personnel. Moreover, some of the colleagues who witnessed such unethical practices experienced conflict concerning the said ethical principles and this potentially led to their increase in stress levels, burnout, and demoralization. The professional practices of the organization were also unethical because some of the health care professionals used to derive personal incomes for referring patients to particular laboratories to undergo unnecessary tests or procedures. In such instances, the physician is also known to have a pecuniary interest, information of the procedures conducted had insufficient information, and even referrals meant payments increased and the splitting of fees (Gabel, 2011).
Other questionable issues about the ethical commitments of...
Moreover, the ethical orientation of the healthcare facility was under scrutiny due to its incapability to admit a patient to the hospital due to their insurance status. Such pressures have also led health care professionals to provide patients with a substandard type of care because their insurance coverage is insufficient (Gabel, 2011).
The view taken by healthcare professionals on cases of unethical behaviors differs from those of their colleagues or organizational leaders due to the pressures they are facing. The nurses fear repercussions, labeling by other colleagues, retribution and blame. This raises concerns because reporting of such unethical practices and procedures would be high-risk and with low-benefit (Attree, 2007). For many of the nurses, the confidence they have about reporting the incidences was not worth risking their careers. However, when unethical practices are evident in the organization, then internal conflict are bound to develop. In such instances, professionals from those health care organizations and professionals failed to reconcile their values with what they perceived to be misleading, false and hypocritical to their organization (Attree, 2007).
Some of the factors resulting in whistleblowing incidents include the…
