All people working with patients in hospital are expected to act ethically and in a way which always puts the wellbeing of the patient first and foremost. Although many of the issues tackled in training about ethics are legal matters, there are many other concepts which a certified nursing assistant is expected to be aware of and pay attention to when treating patients.
Confidentiality
All healthcare professionals are expected to be discreet and treat patient confidentiality. In practice, this means that CNAs should not talk about specifics of patient care or treatment away from the hospital, or even with people at the hospital who are not directly involved in the patient’s care. Any sensitive information should be handled carefully, and permission must be sought from the patient to discuss aspects of their care with family or other visitors. Paperwork should be stored and completed in the correct manner and any sensitive information should be kept in a safe place so as not to be accessed by members of staff who have no need to see it. Healthcare professionals also have the duty to report any breaches of confidentiality by other members of staff to senior managers.
Professional Conduct
The code of ethics which a CNA signs up to also provides broad rules about how patients should be treated. CNAs are expected to treat all patients equally, irrespective of age, sex, race or sexual orientation. The same level of care is to be given to all patients and it is important that they are treated with dignity and respect at all times. A CNA is obliged to act professionally at all times and do their job to the best of their abilities. They are expected to give their full attention to their work while at their place of employment, and not be distracted by other issues. All nursing staff are also obliged to turn up for work in a fit state, which means not being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or ill or in a condition which means they are unable to work. This section of the ethics code also concerns issues such as CNAs being forbidden from being romantically involved with their patients or their immediate families.
Legal Matters
It goes without saying that all healthcare staff should act honestly in their dealings with patients at all time. An issue such as stealing from patients is not only unethical, it is illegal. CNAs should never put themselves in situations where their integrity can be called into question. CNAs should also be made aware of their legal obligations as far as issues such as malpractice are concerned, and how to take steps to ensure that they are fulfilling their legal obligations to their patients by delivering the best care possible. CNAs are also expected to be honest when filling out application forms for employment, disclosing fully any issues from their past which may impact on their ability to care for patients and act honestly when working in a hospital or other environment.