Applying Ethical Principles
Capella University
NHS4000: Developing a Health Care Perspective
February, 2021
Applying Ethical Principles
, 2
APPLYING ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
Every health care facility faces many ethical issues within patient care that require
knowledge. There are four core ethical principles in the healthcare, and they are autonomy,
beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice which help health care resolve ethical decision-making
solutions. Most healthcare administrators used these principles when dealing with patients.
Overview of the Case Study
The case that was chosen is the missing needle protector. Many of the physicians in
healthcare provide excellent service but had their days when the quality of work wasn’t so well
causing harm to patient’s health. E.L. Straight was the director of clinical services at the
Hopewell Hospital. Straight took a position two years at the Hopewell Hospital. An issue
occurred which was brought to Straight attention from the operating room. Dr. Cutrite was a
surgeon who performed surgery on the patient Mrs. Jameson but left a disposable syringe plastic
needle protector inside the patient's belly. The surgeon described the protector to be a red-pink
color which could have easily been mistaken with the patient's belly. In the process of
discovering the issue, Mrs. Jameson was discharged from the hospital. The surgeons discussed
the situation but were unsure what to do because they were not sure if the object would cause
complications in the future to Mrs. Jameson's belly. After understanding the situation Dr. Cutrite
was informed that Mrs. Jameson will have to be called back to the hospital to have the needle
protector removed.
Analysis of Ethical Issues in the Case Study
In the case study, the ethical dilemma was created when a conflict occurred between the
supervisor and Dr. Cutrite. The supervisor was certain that the surgeon left the needle protector
inside the patient’s belly which left the situation to become more serious. Since the surgeon
wasn’t concerned the supervisor escalated the issue to Mr. Straight. Mr. Straight suggested after
Capella University
NHS4000: Developing a Health Care Perspective
February, 2021
Applying Ethical Principles
, 2
APPLYING ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
Every health care facility faces many ethical issues within patient care that require
knowledge. There are four core ethical principles in the healthcare, and they are autonomy,
beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice which help health care resolve ethical decision-making
solutions. Most healthcare administrators used these principles when dealing with patients.
Overview of the Case Study
The case that was chosen is the missing needle protector. Many of the physicians in
healthcare provide excellent service but had their days when the quality of work wasn’t so well
causing harm to patient’s health. E.L. Straight was the director of clinical services at the
Hopewell Hospital. Straight took a position two years at the Hopewell Hospital. An issue
occurred which was brought to Straight attention from the operating room. Dr. Cutrite was a
surgeon who performed surgery on the patient Mrs. Jameson but left a disposable syringe plastic
needle protector inside the patient's belly. The surgeon described the protector to be a red-pink
color which could have easily been mistaken with the patient's belly. In the process of
discovering the issue, Mrs. Jameson was discharged from the hospital. The surgeons discussed
the situation but were unsure what to do because they were not sure if the object would cause
complications in the future to Mrs. Jameson's belly. After understanding the situation Dr. Cutrite
was informed that Mrs. Jameson will have to be called back to the hospital to have the needle
protector removed.
Analysis of Ethical Issues in the Case Study
In the case study, the ethical dilemma was created when a conflict occurred between the
supervisor and Dr. Cutrite. The supervisor was certain that the surgeon left the needle protector
inside the patient’s belly which left the situation to become more serious. Since the surgeon
wasn’t concerned the supervisor escalated the issue to Mr. Straight. Mr. Straight suggested after
