Does the health care organization have an ethical obligation to care for the patient, the employee, or both? Please defend your answer by citing at least one reference to the ANA code of ethics. (350 words, 10 pts)

The healthcare organization has an ethical obligation to care for both the patient and the employee. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, nurses have a commitment to provide compassionate and respectful care to all individuals, including patients and colleagues (ANA, 2015). This commitment extends to the healthcare organization as a whole, as the organization is responsible for creating a culture that supports ethical behavior and provides a safe and healthy work environment for employees.

The ANA Code of Ethics highlights the importance of creating a work environment that supports the well-being of nurses, including addressing workplace hazards and ensuring that nurses have access to resources for self-care (ANA, 2015). This is important not only for the ethical treatment of employees but also for the quality of care provided to patients. Nurses who are overworked, under-resourced, or experiencing burnout are less likely to provide high-quality care and may even make errors that can harm patients (Aiken et al., 2014).

At the same time, the healthcare organization also has an ethical obligation to provide compassionate and respectful care to patients. This includes ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care, that their privacy and confidentiality are protected, and that they are treated with dignity and respect (ANA, 2015). The healthcare organization must also ensure that patients receive care that is consistent with their values, beliefs, and preferences, and that their cultural and spiritual needs are considered.

In summary, the healthcare organization has an ethical obligation to care for both the patient and the employee. The ANA Code of Ethics highlights the importance of creating a culture that supports ethical behavior and provides a safe and healthy work environment for nurses, while also emphasizing the importance of providing compassionate and respectful care to patients. By meeting these obligations, healthcare organizations can promote high-quality care and support the well-being of both patients and employees.

References:

American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association.

Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D. M., Bruyneel, L., Van den Heede, K., Griffiths, P., Busse, R., … & Sermeus, W. (2014). Nurse staffing and education and hospital mortality in nine European countries: a retrospective observational study. The Lancet, 383(9931), 1824-1830.