Question

A new phlebotomist has been criticized by her supervisor for not meeting the 5 minutes/patient limit and has been told to increase speed or perhaps consider another type of work. the very next patient for a blood draw is hesitant to extend his arm for the venipuncture, but the phlebotomist proceeds to force the patient to cooperate and draws the blood quickly without any explanation. what are the legal and ethical issues associated with this situation?

Answer 1

The situation raises both legal and ethical issues. The phlebotomist forced the patient to cooperate without consent, resulting in a violation of the patient's rights. To avoid these issues, proper consent, communication, and respect for the patient's autonomy should be prioritized.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation described raises both legal and ethical issues.

Legally, the phlebotomist forced the patient to cooperate without obtaining proper consent. This can be considered assault and a violation of the patient's rights.

Ethically, the phlebotomist failed to communicate with the patient, provide proper explanations, and demonstrate respect for the patient's autonomy and dignity. The actions taken were coercive and disregarded the patient's well-being.

To avoid legal and ethical issues in this situation, the phlebotomist should have respected the patient's hesitation, explained the procedure, and sought their consent. If the phlebotomist is unable to meet the time limit requirements, it would be more appropriate to discuss the issue with the supervisor and explore possible alternatives instead of forcing patients.