Introduction “Whistleblowing” refers to a person who informs a person of authority or the public of the wrongdoings, corruption, and/or illegal acts of a company. The objective of the whistleblower is to cease the wrongdoing and to stop further corruptions within the company (Ray, 2006). These corruptions can occur in any type of workplace, including law offices, hospitals, research labs, and manufacturing plants, just to name a few. Since the 1960s, the importance of whistleblowing has become increasingly recognized, due to the fact that there are now laws and statutes that protect whistleblowers (Callahan & Morehead, 1992). This allows for more corruption within companies to be brought to light, which can protect the public from impending
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Considering that whistleblowing in a hospital can pose an even greater dilemma than other workplaces, precisely because of the third parties involved: the patients (Mansbach & Bachner, 2010). The particular example I will discuss is as follows: If a nurse observes that a doctor is practicing unethical medicine or performing unnecessary procedures on a patient and doesn’t say anything (doesn’t blow the whistle) then the patient could possibly be harmed (Mansbach & Bachner, 2010). Although, if the nurse does blow the whistle and the doctor or hospital’s reputation is tarnished, it could affect the work environment and the quality of care given to the many other patients of that hospital (Mansbach & Bachner, …show more content…
First of all, she would be remaining loyal to her oath as a healthcare provider because reporting unethical practices are supported by the ethical principle of non-maleficence (do not harm) and beneficence (Gallagher, 2010). The principles of non-maleficence are: do not kill, no not cause pain and suffering, do not incapacitate, do not cause offence, and do not deprive others of the goods of life (Beauchamp & Childress, 1980). Furthermore, the principles of beneficence are: protect and defend the right of others, prevent harm from occurring to others, remove conditions that will cause harm, help others with disabilities, and rescue people in danger (Beauchamp & Childress, 1980). These principles of non-maleficence and beneficence are the foundation of healthcare environments, thus when the nurse whistle-blows on unethical practices, she is being loyal to the hospitals principles, thence the hospital
Considering that whistleblowing in a hospital can pose an even greater dilemma than other workplaces, precisely because of the third parties involved: the patients (Mansbach & Bachner, 2010). The particular example I will discuss is as follows: If a nurse observes that a doctor is practicing unethical medicine or performing unnecessary procedures on a patient and doesn’t say anything (doesn’t blow the whistle) then the patient could possibly be harmed (Mansbach & Bachner, 2010). Although, if the nurse does blow the whistle and the doctor or hospital’s reputation is tarnished, it could affect the work environment and the quality of care given to the many other patients of that hospital (Mansbach & Bachner, …show more content…
First of all, she would be remaining loyal to her oath as a healthcare provider because reporting unethical practices are supported by the ethical principle of non-maleficence (do not harm) and beneficence (Gallagher, 2010). The principles of non-maleficence are: do not kill, no not cause pain and suffering, do not incapacitate, do not cause offence, and do not deprive others of the goods of life (Beauchamp & Childress, 1980). Furthermore, the principles of beneficence are: protect and defend the right of others, prevent harm from occurring to others, remove conditions that will cause harm, help others with disabilities, and rescue people in danger (Beauchamp & Childress, 1980). These principles of non-maleficence and beneficence are the foundation of healthcare environments, thus when the nurse whistle-blows on unethical practices, she is being loyal to the hospitals principles, thence the hospital