One key part of healthcare provision and services is the need to comply with procedure and perform duties in a responsible and ethically sound manner. Amidst all other changes, delivering the best service to patients and ensuring that the patient’s best interest is at the core of healthcare is crucial.
Within healthcare and the healthcare industry there are some fundamental guidelines which should always be adhered to in order that the healthcare professional or goods and services provider is carrying out their job responsibly, in line with good medical practice and in the best possible way for the patient.
Some of the bodies which provide these policies and guidelines include:
- The Association of British Healthcare Industries
- The Surgical Dressing Manufacturer’s Association
- Eucomed
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Royal College of Nursing
This list is not exhaustive however and there is a vast array of material at our disposal which can be referred to. Language around compliance may differ slightly depending on the body or institution as each body is responsible for different groups of healthcare professionals. Furthermore, policies and guidelines are constantly being updated as healthcare and technology develops and patient demands and expectations change, The one consistent message however, is that the patient’s needs are of the highest importance and everything is done for the benefit of the patient.
Real Healthcare Solutions published an article that featured in the Wounds UK Journal entitled ‘Recognising Compliance and Ethics in Patient Centred Care’ which discusses this area in more detail.
“Patient ethics can be defined as part of the system of medical ethical principles that focuses attention on the best interests of the patient. It is important to recognise the right of patient autonomy, where self-determination exists. This ensures that the healthcare professional is treating the patient or acting to prevent complications in a way that will provide the best result for that individual. This is often termed patient-centred care, which is discussed in further detail. This article aims to explain the need for ethics in a clinical setting, not only for the benefit of the patient but for the benefit of the healthcare professional and wider healthcare industry.”
Photo by Arvin Chingcuangco on Unsplash