consent – Ethics In Practice

It is Thursday afternoon. You receive a call from one of the hospital Discharge Planners, Zahra. Zahra requests your assistance with decision making about a patient named Mr. Roberts. She provides you with a summary of what has happened since Mr. Roberts was admitted to the hospital six weeks ago. Zahra explains that Mr. Roberts is an 83 year old who police brought to the hospital six weeks ago. The police had received a call about an elderly man walking back and forth on the same street over the course of two hours during a snowstorm, without a winter coat or boots. The police told the Emergency Department staff that Mr. Roberts was unable to tell them his address, and that he appeared disoriented and confused. Mr. Roberts was admitted to hospital with a urinary tract infection (UTI), delirium, and ‘failure to thrive.’ Dr. Suleman identifies and contacts Mr. Roberts’ substitute decision makerDr. Suleman was Mr. Roberts’ physician on admission to the...

A mental health therapist, Cathy, working in a rural clinic, receives a phone call from a 42-year-old client, Emma. Cathy has met with Emma on only two occasions - once for the initial mental health assessment and one treatment session. The mental health assessment found that Emma has suffered from depression for many years. Emma has made two serious suicide attempts in the past with intent to die. In the last attempt, 1 year ago, Emma jumped off of an overpass and broke both her legs. Hospitalization was needed as she required multiple surgeries. Five weeks ago, her mom was growing increasingly worried about her daughter and brought Emma to the hospital. Emma was admitted to a nearby urban hospital in a psychiatric unit due to depression and suicidal ideation. She was just released from hospital three days ago. On the phone with her therapist, Cathy, Emma states that even though she was just released from hospital she still has suicidal...