Jose Bernel
BSN 4-1
Issues on Nursing Code of Ethics in the Philippines
Article 1 Section 1: There is a certain phrase in Article 1 Section 1 that I think would be
violated which is under the phrase “alleviation of suffering” and “However, when the foregoing
is not possible, assistance towards a peaceful death shall be his/her obligation”. I choose these
two phrases because in the Philippines, euthanasia is still illegal. There is a senate bill which
holds that any act involving “mercy killing” or “Physician-Assisted Suicide” is not authorized.
This would be violated if the patient is in critical condition and decides to end his/her life
because of pain and other factors. On the other hand, In the International code of ethics, it is seen
that it is also according to article 1 section 1 because the actions taken by nurses to care for the
patient allow the patient to live as comfortably as possible in terms of physical, emotional, social,
and spiritual well-being. Nursing care attempts to maximize the patient's life values and extends
supportive care to the patient's family and important others. Throughout the continuum of care,
nursing care is focused on satisfying the full needs of patients and their families. This is
especially important in the treatment of patients and their families near the end of life, as it helps
to prevent and alleviate the symptoms and pain that come with dying.
Article 2 Section 4: There is a certain phrase in Article 2 Section 4 number 3 which states that
“Personal information acquired in the process of giving nursing care shall be held in strict
confidence.” Nurses in the Philippines, although are being praised for being honest and true,
sometimes shares their experience in their duty to people whom they’re closed with. This is a
violation because some of them would gossip their patients either with their co-duty mates, their
colleagues, friends, family, and the likes. On the international nursing code of ethics, it is stated
that this violation should be avoided because the actions taken by nurses to care for the patient
allow the patient to live as comfortably as possible in terms of physical, emotional, social, and
spiritual well-being. Nursing care attempts to maximize the patient's life values and extends
supportive care to the patient's family and important others. Throughout the continuum of care,
nursing care is focused on satisfying the full needs of patients and their families. This is
especially important in the treatment of patients and their families near the end of life, as it helps
to prevent and alleviate the symptoms and pain that come with dying.
Article 3 Section 11: There is a certain phrase in Article 3 Section 11 wherein it states “decline
any gift, favor or hospitality which might be interpreted as capitalizing on patients”, “not
demand and receive any commission, fee or emolument for recommending or referring a patient
to a physician, a co-nurse or another health care worker; not to pay any commission, fee or other
compensations to the one referring or recommending a patient to them for nursing care” and
“avoid any abuse of the privilege relationship which exists with patients and of the privilege
access allowed to their property, residence or workplace.” Some cases in high end tertiary
hospitals have nurses who take tips from admitted celebrities or businessman or some rich
patient which is clearly forbidden. Also, some nurses who has a relative or some relationship
with the admitted patient sometimes violate by overusing the resources to the patient or by
illegally taking equipment from the hospital for their own or for their relative. According to the
International Code Ethics for Nurses, it states that Organizational structures, job descriptions,
health and safety programs, grievance processes, ethics committees, remuneration systems, and
disciplinary procedures all contribute to environments that can either create barriers to ethical
activity or encourage it. Employees who are given a fair hearing when they have a grievance, are
supported in practicing according to standards of care, and are treated fairly allow for the
realization of the profession's values and are consistent with effective nursing practice.
Regardless of status, all nurses have a responsibility to create, maintain, and contribute to
practice environments that enable nurses to meet their ethical commitments. Observable
characteristics such as working conditions and written policies and procedures setting out
expectations for nurses, as well as less tangible characteristics such as informal peer norms,
make up practice environments.
Reference: 1) https://www.coursehero.com/file/52986305/Euthanasia-in-the-Philippinesdocx/
2)https://www.princetonhcs.org//media/princeton/documentrepository/documentrepository/nurse
s/code-of-ethics.pdf
