In this situation I would not tell Consuela. I tend to agree with the points made by Fleck. I think that the sister should be informed of the importance of and thoroughly educated in the practice of universal precaution. In addition, I believe it is the obligation of the hospital to make sure that she has the necessary items such as gloves. I also agree that Carlos should be educated in universal precautions and should monitor his sister to insure that she follows the precautions. I do not believe that it is necessary for the doctor to breach confidentiality in this case because the risk of infection is so low, particularly if all the precautions are taken. The risk present to Carlos as a result of informing Consuela greatly outweighs the risk to Consuela of not informing her.
I agree with Angell, Carlos should either tell his sister about his condition or forfeit his care to her. Another interesting idea would be to inform Consuela that she needs to take X,X, and X cautions when caring for Carlos because with the type of woulds he received he has could be carrying opportunistic infections that could infect her quite easily if she is not careful. Mainly I do not think it is ethical for Carlos to put the person he loves at great risk of the disease because he would feel "disgraced". This is completely selfish and he should grow up.
I feel the doctor should talk with Carlos and let him know that he has to tell his sister or he is risking her catching HIV. If Carlos still decides he is not going to tell his sister than the doctor shoudl tell Consuela that she needs to wear protective gloves or other protection while attending to his wounds. I do not think the doctor should tell Consuela that Carlos has HIV, but there will come a time when Carlos will have to tell his family. If he is ashamed of being a homosexual he could tell his family that he has HIV and received it from a femal partner.
This is similar to the dilemma of an HIV+ person not informing a sexual partner of his condition. As discussed in class, is it the partner's fault for not asking, for not protecting herself, or is it solely the fault of the HIV+ person for not divulging the information?
I am tempted to side with Fleck because this would present an easier solution for all involved, and most likely nothing bad would happen. However, this does not respect Consuela's autonomy, and she is not choosing to care for her brother with respect to the fact that she could contract HIV. Carlos does not have to tell her he is homosexual, just that he is HIV+.
I agree with what Patrick said. I know that in the hospital you use universal precautions on every patient as you do not always know what the patient has. But at home it may be harder to remember to use gloves when there is a potential for contact with bodily fluids especially since she is caring for her brother. I think that this case would make it harder for the sister to remember universal precautions so she would need to know what she is dealing with to protect herself in case something happens.
If i was the physican i wouldn't tell Carolos' sister. I would have the nurse stress the importantance of using universal precautions while caring of her brother. That would include protecting herself whenever she would be in contact with Carlos' bodily fluids, such as blood and also proper hand washing techniques and cleaning techniques for supplies. Universal precautions would be enough to protect her from infection while at the same time protecting patient confidentiality.
In this situation I would not tell Consuela. I tend to agree with the points made by Fleck. I think that the sister should be informed of the importance of and thoroughly educated in the practice of universal precaution. In addition, I believe it is the obligation of the hospital to make sure that she has the necessary items such as gloves. I also agree that Carlos should be educated in universal precautions and should monitor his sister to insure that she follows the precautions. I do not believe that it is necessary for the doctor to breach confidentiality in this case because the risk of infection is so low, particularly if all the precautions are taken. The risk present to Carlos as a result of informing Consuela greatly outweighs the risk to Consuela of not informing her.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Angell, Carlos should either tell his sister about his condition or forfeit his care to her. Another interesting idea would be to inform Consuela that she needs to take X,X, and X cautions when caring for Carlos because with the type of woulds he received he has could be carrying opportunistic infections that could infect her quite easily if she is not careful. Mainly I do not think it is ethical for Carlos to put the person he loves at great risk of the disease because he would feel "disgraced". This is completely selfish and he should grow up.
ReplyDeleteI feel the doctor should talk with Carlos and let him know that he has to tell his sister or he is risking her catching HIV. If Carlos still decides he is not going to tell his sister than the doctor shoudl tell Consuela that she needs to wear protective gloves or other protection while attending to his wounds.
ReplyDeleteI do not think the doctor should tell Consuela that Carlos has HIV, but there will come a time when Carlos will have to tell his family. If he is ashamed of being a homosexual he could tell his family that he has HIV and received it from a femal partner.
This is similar to the dilemma of an HIV+ person not informing a sexual partner of his condition. As discussed in class, is it the partner's fault for not asking, for not protecting herself, or is it solely the fault of the HIV+ person for not divulging the information?
ReplyDeleteI am tempted to side with Fleck because this would present an easier solution for all involved, and most likely nothing bad would happen. However, this does not respect Consuela's autonomy, and she is not choosing to care for her brother with respect to the fact that she could contract HIV. Carlos does not have to tell her he is homosexual, just that he is HIV+.
I agree with what Patrick said. I know that in the hospital you use universal precautions on every patient as you do not always know what the patient has. But at home it may be harder to remember to use gloves when there is a potential for contact with bodily fluids especially since she is caring for her brother. I think that this case would make it harder for the sister to remember universal precautions so she would need to know what she is dealing with to protect herself in case something happens.
ReplyDeleteIf i was the physican i wouldn't tell Carolos' sister. I would have the nurse stress the importantance of using universal precautions while caring of her brother. That would include protecting herself whenever she would be in contact with Carlos' bodily fluids, such as blood and also proper hand washing techniques and cleaning techniques for supplies. Universal precautions would be enough to protect her from infection while at the same time protecting patient confidentiality.
ReplyDelete