Question

According to the CDC “healthcare workers include (but are not limited to) physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, therapists, technicians, emergency medical service personnel, dental personnel, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, autopsy personnel, students and trainees, contractual staff not employed by the healthcare facility and peers not directly involved in patient care but potentially exposed to infectious agents that can be transmitted to and from health care workers and patients… recommend that all U.S. health care workers get vaccinated annually against influenza” ( CDC, 2015). According to the CDC, influenza can lead to hospitalization and death. Patients already hospitalized are at greater risk for the contracting influenza than people who are not.

Question:

Using the ANA code of ethics and ethical provisions, discuss whether YOU believe that healthcare workers should or should not be MANDATED to receive the flu shot. (15 pts)

Answer 1

According to the code of ethics presented in the ANA (American Nurse Association) a medical practitioner does not just have a duty towards the patients but also has a duty towards the self. This measure is taken in line with the fact that medical helpers are in constant contact with people who need critical attention and their health/well being could impact the integrity of their work ethic.

It is also critical that they keep their health at its prime as they are working constantly with vulnerable populations that can be impacted negatively by any health concerns that the medical health care worker might harbor. Hence, it is mandatory, that certain shots be made an imperative for the health care workers as that would uphold the integrity of the profession they are practicing.