Topic > Applying Ethical Principles to Reduce Hospital Readmissions

IndexCase Study OverviewApplication of Ethical PrinciplesUsing Ethical Decision Making to Analyze the Case StudyResolving the Ethical Dilemma by Applying Ethical PrinciplesAnalyzing Ethical Issues in the Case StudyEffectiveness of Communication Approaches in the case study Conclusion As healthcare professionals we sometimes face ethical problems in our careers. We must make good decisions based on our values ​​and moral principles. In the ethical principles of healthcare ethics, we are guided in using four main approaches popular in healthcare organization to serve our problems and treat our patients with respect. Give them the opportunity to make their own decisions and honor their core values ​​and norms. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Case Study Overview Caleb Powell is the CEO of Virginia County Regional Hospital. Caleb Powell is hosting an executive leadership meeting. On the agenda, Powell will discuss with his leadership team ways the hospital can reduce its patient readmission rate. Powell believes this is important to the future and success of Virginia County Regional Hospital and will also improve patient satisfaction and quality of the hospital. The idea to reduce hospital readmissions is based on an article Powell read from the National Institute of Health that discussed ways to reduce the rate of readmissions. This will be done at all levels and not just in the areas identified by federal guidelines. Caleb Powell knows there is more to gain if things go well or more to lose if things go wrong under provisions of the Affordable Care Act under which hospitals are penalized with a 30-day readmission for heart attack patients, heart failure and pneumonia. On the other hand, Powell worries that this policy could prevent patients from seeking care when needed, which would be an ethical issue. Application of ethical principles It is important to identify problems that contribute to patients being readmitted to hospitals after being discharged within 30 days. To prevent readmission to hospital, situations, policies and behavior should be assessed. The patient with acute illnesses such as heart failure and pneumonia must have a safe discharge order in place before returning home or to the community to avoid concerns about the appropriate allocation of healthcare resources. Caleb Powell Has a meeting with his executive committee to discuss possible ways to reduce hospital readmissions. Using Ethical Decision Making to Analyze the Case Study It is important to identify issues that contribute to patients being readmitted to hospitals after being discharged within 30 days. To prevent readmission to hospital, situations, policies and behavior should be assessed. The patient with acute illnesses such as heart failure and pneumonia must have a safe discharge order in place before returning home or to the community to avoid concerns about the appropriate allocation of healthcare resources. Using the three components of the ethical decision-making model: moral awareness, moral judgment, and ethical behavior will help analyze this situation. In moral awareness we recognize the problems and ethical dilemma that exists in hospital readmission of the patient to healthcare professionals. If the patient is admitted to hospital for pneumonia or heart failure, he or she should be treated fully before being discharged home. As operatorshealthcare professionals must have the ability to identify and appreciate the ethical value of the decision that must be made. The hospital must first recognize the ethical dimension of the problem it faces with patient readmission. Readmission to hospital is a problem for healthcare organizations because they are penalized. Most readmissions occur among patients with acute medical needs that cannot be met elsewhere. Now that the problems of patient readmission are evident, judgment can be made to decide what is right or wrong. The Affordable Care Act wants hospitals to improve the quality and efficiency of patient care to reduce healthcare costs and provide protection. To prevent readmission to hospital, it is necessary to evaluate situations, actions and behaviors. In ethical behavior one should demonstrate respect for key moral principles which include honesty, fairness, equality, diversity and individual rights. We want to know what is good and what is bad in the hospital and what is right and wrong. In an effort to reduce hospital readmissions, the healthcare provider should respect the dignity, diversity and rights of the patient. Resolving the Ethical Dilemma by Applying Ethical Principles To use the ethical dilemma related to healthcare, the four ethical principles of autonomy that give the patient the right to control their own body, make their own decisions if the healthcare provider believes that these choices whether in the best interests of the patient or not, and respect these personal values ​​and beliefs. Beneficence, which means that the healthcare professional must do everything possible to benefit the patient in every situation, doing the greatest good. Except the CHF patient and don't turn him away because of hospital gain. Non Maleficence “do no harm”, do not suspend treatment due to financial problems. The principles of justice should be fairness in all decisions; treat all patients the same. Patients with pneumonia, heart failure and heart attack should mostly fall into the acutely ill category. Hospitals now have more physicians, medical teams, residents, social workers, PTs, OTs, and nurses that make up the team of healthcare providers who are working to try to reduce hospital readmissions. Caleb Powell and his manager can organize the same team to work toward his goals for Virginia County Hospital. When discharging a patient with congested heart failure, they should receive a good detailed discharge education on what to do at home to prevent worsening of CHF and readmission. Education should include weighing themselves first thing every morning when they get out of bed. They should urinate before weighing themselves, not eat, wear light clothing and use the same skill. Instruct the patient to report any weight gain of 5 pounds or more within one week. They should make sure to rest between activities while working or exercising. For patients with pneumonia, it takes up to six weeks to fully recover, so these patients will receive intravenous antibiotics upon admission to the hospital and when they are discharged the doctor usually continues them on oral antibiotic. Instruct the patient to take all prescribed antibiotic until finished. Also teach the patient to take deep breaths and cough several times during the day because this helps loosen the mucus and let it out. Washing your hands with soap and water after blowing your nose is very important. It is good practice when coughing or sneezing to use a tissue, elbow or sleeve. When a hospitalized patient is discharged.