Medical ethics, distinct from other ethical principles, is characterized by the unilateral nature of information disclosure in the client-service provider relationship. The significance of adhering to healthcare ethics cannot be overstated, as it underpins the foundation of the doctor-patient relationship. Failure to maintain these ethical standards can have severe consequences, potentially resulting in violence or abuse in extreme cases. Analytical cross-sectional study design was conducted in National Hospitals Kandy and Colombo. Events need emergency medical attention in two selected teaching Hospital Sri Lanka (NH Kandy and NHSL Colombo) were considered as study population. Patients of staff members or their relatives were excluded from the study. 176 emergency situations were observed and 85 staff members were interviewed. None probability convenient sampling technique was applied for selecting sample for the study. Investigator administered structured data extraction sheet associated with observatory check list which included questions on ethics and implication principals were used as the study instrument. Data analysis was facilitated by SPSS version 27.0. Mean age of the patients underwent emergency situation was 44.1 yrs. Least attention was paid to patients’ autonomy. Assessment of the patient's decision-making capacity was paid highest attention among autonomy of the patient(n=63:35.8%). Among principals related to beneficence, medical interventions aimed at maximizing benefits for the patient were mostly attended (n=146:82.9%). Have potential risks and harms associated with medical interventions been minimized was the commonly attended risk minimization(n=136:77.3%). Majority of incidences, regardless of background, treated with the same level of care and consideration (n=162:92.1%). Staff members were mostly aware risk minimization among all ethical principles (42.9%). Staff members were least aware regarding patients’ autonomy during emergency medical management (37.3%). Patient autonomy (79.2%) and justification (72.5%) are satisfactorily applied at the ETU set up. Study findings demonstrate that minimization of risks during procedures is more at the ETU, when compared to ward setup(z=8.5:p<0.001). Relative to the other ethical principles, patient beneficence (46.2%) and avoid maleficence (47.1%) are applied more at the ward set up. Ethical principles which are applied most during emergency medical management events include patients Autonomy and justification. Beneficence and avoid maleficence are identified as the ethical principles which are followed least. Staff members should be properly informed regarding the manner of following ethical principles during emergency medical management procedures and appropriate skills should be developed. During these training programmes priority should be given to ward staff members..
2024-07-01.
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