Ethical issues in patient safety: Implications for nursing management

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Ethics
• Nursing Management
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Fragmented understanding of ethical issues in patient safety.
• Need for clear ethical principles to guide nursing practice.
• Existing knowledge gaps in nurse managers' ethical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• Discuss ethical issues impacting patient safety.
• Present implications for nursing management.
• Formulate the 'ethical imperative' of patient safety.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and conceptual analysis.
• Identification of main drivers for ethical patient safety.
• Exploration of underlying values and principles.

Main Results:

• The 'ethical imperative' of patient safety is identified.
• Contradictions between individual and utilitarian safety pose challenges.
• Shared responsibility and future challenges in ethical patient safety are outlined.

Conclusions:

• Nurse managers are strategic leaders in patient safety.
• Ethical integration into decision-making at all organizational levels is vital.
• Promoting ethical considerations enhances sustainable, dignified patient care.