Introduction
Medical professionals often face a problem related to the application of their knowledge or skills in emergencies. This aspect is covered in the Good Samaritan Act, which covers cases regulating the right to first aid. Whether to help people or not is closely related to the ethical side since the main task of nurses is to preserve the lives of individuals. Thus, this paper examines the question of whether the Good Samaritan law applies to a registered nurse working at an assisted living facility.
Discussion
The provision of first aid is a matter of ethics or professionalism of nurses. West and Varacallo (2019) emphasize that the “Good Samaritan laws have their basis on the idea that consensus agreement favors good “public policy” to limit liability for those who voluntarily perform care and rescue in emergencies” (para. 1). The danger of this action is that not all. In some cases, the activities of medical professionals can lead to positive outcomes. Therefore, I think that the Good Samaritan law can cause issues for registered nurse practice. However, Florida state indicates that nurses cannot be held liable for any civil damages (“The 2022 Florida statutes,” para. 1). There are many cases where nurses refuse to provide CPR or give it and face ethical or legal obligation (CBS News, N.D.). Research states that the “ACHE’s Code of Ethics is a powerful set of principles that link and unite healthcare executives” (“Commitment to ethics,” para. 3). Thus, according to this, the code requires healthcare providers to serve as a standard of conduct for all members. To avoid legal implications, it is critical to comply with the rules set for medical professionals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the issue of providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation or emergency care is a concern not only of professionalism but also of ethics. On the one hand, nurses must ensure the preservation of people’s health and well-being. However, with incorrect actions, providers can only harm individuals and face legal consequences. Thus, nurses must comply with ethical and medical standards that limit the scope of their activities. The Good Samaritan law must be applied to a registered nurse working at an assisted living facility. However, they should remember that they can face an ethical or legal obligation to provide CPR.
References
CBS News. (n.d.). 911 recording: Nurse refuses to give CPR to dying woman[Video]. YouTube. Web.
Commitment to ethics. (n.d.). American College of Healthcare Expenditures. Web.
The 2022 Florida statutes. (n.d.). Online Sunshine. Web.
West, B., & Varacallo, M. (2019). Good Samaritan Laws. StatPearls.