Applied ethics

Bioethics. Business ethics. Moral psychology

An approach to ethical problems in emergency medicine

A two-car accident occurs in central Amityville. The driver of one car is taken to Amity General, where he is found to be severely injured. The driver of the other vehicle is taken in critical condition to the Crosstown emergency department (ED).

Informed participation in decisions

A 50-year-old man is brought to the emergency department for evaluation of lethargy. The patient has alcohol on his breath. There were also some sleeping pills in his apartment when his friend found him.

Solo nurse in the emergency department

A 24-year-old man arrives in the small community emergency department in the middle of the night with epistaxis (nosebleed). The nursing staff are the only ones present in the hospital.

Answering questions from “relatives” on the phone or in person

The emergency department in the hospital nearest a certain college campus has admitted four 22-year-old college seniors in the past half hour.