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COVID-19 pandemic: ethical issues and recommendations for emergency triage

Leqian Wu1, Xiangjin Kong1

  • 1College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning, China.

Frontiers in Public Health
|May 22, 2023
PubMed

Insights

This study examines ethical challenges in hospital emergency triage during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on patient autonomy, resource allocation, and technology-related safety concerns. It proposes solutions rooted in Care Ethics for better system design and implementation.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Ethics
  • Public Health Policy
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unprecedented public health challenges globally.
  • Healthcare systems faced ethical dilemmas in emergency triage and resource allocation.
  • Existing ethical frameworks required re-evaluation in the context of a novel infectious disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze ethical difficulties in hospital emergency triage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To explore issues related to patient autonomy, resource waste, and technological safety.
  • To propose solutions based on Care Ethics for system design and implementation.

Main Methods:

  • Ethical analysis of epidemic prevention phenomena and measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Examination of hospital emergency triage practices in China and other countries.
  • Application of Care Ethics theory to address identified ethical issues.

Main Results:

  • Identified ethical challenges include patient autonomy limitations and resource waste from over-triage.
  • Inaccurate feedback from intelligent epidemic prevention technology poses patient safety risks.
  • Conflicts arise between individual patient interests and public interests due to strict pandemic control systems.

Conclusions:

  • Addressing ethical issues in COVID-19 triage requires a nuanced approach considering patient rights and public health.
  • System design and implementation informed by Care Ethics can mitigate ethical conflicts.
  • Proactive strategies are needed to balance individual needs with collective well-being during health crises.

Keywords:
Coronavirus Disease 2019autonomycare ethicsemergency department crowdinghigh-techresource wastesafetytriage inaccuracy

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