Introduction
Treating patients is a difficult task that involves many risks, and for this reason, healthcare practice establishes high standards of care to ensure service quality. However, specialists are not always successful in achieving standards, negatively affecting patients and their health outcomes. A similar case was described in the news when Brooke Smith faced discrimination at a hospital in New York. Despite the woman expressing concern during her pregnancy, specialists ignored her appeals, leading to the birth of a dead baby.
Response to the Situation
Standards of care set the framework and direction for the necessary behavior and methods applied in a specific situation. Fremgen (2019) states that medical specialists should use the skills and knowledge determined by their license to the extent considered prudent and reasonable. This statement means that professionals must act in a way that would be used by a similar specialist in an identical situation.
In the case of Brooke Smith, doctors failed several times to heed. They did not respond to the patient’s complaints about the baby’s lack of movement until she entered the hospital. It turned out that the child was already dead. Even the doctor with whom the woman met during a critical situation and who had already met with Smith and her complaints during previous visits said that help was needed earlier (Eldeib, 2022).
Evaluation of the Standard of Care
A violation of the standards is present in the case because, as a black woman, Brooke Smith faced bias and discrimination: specialists did not provide her the same care they would offer white patients. It is a widespread problem that affects many women from various racial groups. Smith’s family filed a lawsuit against the hospital, but it was dismissed because of her forced skipping of the hearing.
Conclusion
Thus, standards of care are essential for healthcare practice, as they increase treatment effect, save patients’ lives, and protect practitioners from legal claims. Brooke Smith faced discrimination and bias during her pregnancy, leading to the death of her baby. Compliance with standards and sensitivity to the patient could prevent tragedy. Therefore, developing such competencies and learning to put them into practice is crucial.
References
Eldeib, D. (2022). She says doctors ignored her concerns about her pregnancy. For many black women, it’s a familiar story. ProPublica. Web.
Fremgen, B. F. (2019). Medical law and ethics (6th ed.). Pearson.