Karen's Infection Control And Ethical Dilemmas

Step 1

In the practices of Karen’s infection control, ethical dilemmas may or may not exist. The first issue Jane has with Karen’s practices, is her unnecessary contact of surfaces with contaminated gloves. Karen thoroughly disinfects the operatory after a patient. However, the chance exists that cross contamination could be possible. Is Karen putting the patient in harm’s way, in her practice of cross-contamination, if she is thoroughly disinfecting the surfaces? The other issue also may or may not be an ethical dilemma. Karen’s action of putting XCPs in cold sterilization throughout the morning and then removing them during her lunch hour is, by itself, ethically wrong. The ethical dilemma that may be associated is evident when the needs

The first is to do nothing. If Karen is properly disinfecting and not contacting critical or semi-critical instruments, there is no reason to believe there is an infection risk to patients. If she is not taking the necessary precautions, Jane needs to address the issue. She may talk directly to Karen, express her concern for risk to patient care, and request that Karen modify or change her practices. Depending on Jane’s tact and communication skills, as well as Karen’s attitude, this may lead to a soured relationship with Karen or even with the Dentist. Jane may also talk directly to the Dentist and present a case for the required use of over gloves in the office. Jane may discuss concerns about infection control to the dentist and provide a case for extra measures, without implicating Karen as violating infection control

With Karen’s handling of contaminated gloves, there exist a question of proper infection control. She could be violating the principle of nonmaleficence because she is causing unneeded risk to the patients’ safety. An ethical dilemma exist because she is practicing professional autonomy in her choice of infection control, but her autonomy may be in conflict with the principle of nonmaleficence. To do nothing would leave this dilemma in ambiguity, but to take action and discuss the issue with her or the dentist could remedy the dilemma and restore nonmaleficence. Asking her to change her habits may violate her autonomy, but she is also bound to uphold nonmaleficence concerning patient care and this should be the first