You have just learned that another nurse was fired for taking photographs of patients without their permission using a cell phone and posting them on Face book.
This nurse was fired because the nurse has:
- A- Violated the law.
- B- Acted in a negligent manner.
- C- Not completed the proper documentation.
- D- Violated an ethical principle.
The most likely reason the nurse was fired is: D. Violated an ethical principle.
Taking photographs of patients without their permission and posting them on social media goes against several ethical principles in healthcare, including:
- Patient privacy:
This is a fundamental right of patients and includes controlling their own image and medical information. Sharing such photos without consent is a clear violation.
- Confidentiality:
Healthcare professionals have a duty to keep patient information confidential, which includes images. Posting these photos on social media is a public breach of this duty.
- Professionalism:
Nurses are expected to behave in a professional manner, which includes respecting patient privacy and confidentiality. Sharing such photos is unprofessional and could damage the reputation of the healthcare profession.
Nurse's Actions:
While the nurse's actions might also be considered as:
A. Violated the law:
Depending on the specific laws in the jurisdiction, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) in the US for example, sharing patient information publicly without consent could be illegal.
B. Acted in a negligent manner:
Negligence implies a failure to exercise reasonable care, which could be argued in this case.
C. Not completed the proper documentation:
This option is less likely as documentation wouldn't be relevant to taking and sharing unauthorized photos.
Therefore, while other options have potential implications, the primary reason for the nurse's firing would be the ethical violation of patient privacy and confidentiality.
