Ethics in Health Care

Ethics in Health Care Today

We live in a world today in which people are taking advantage of the ill to make their fortunes. I decided to enter healthcare to help mankind, whether that be to rehab them to live a healthy life or to make their life comfortable if they are at the end of it. I get very angry when patients are only seen as a monetary symbol to those in health care administration. I fully understand that health care is a business, but why do our fellow citizens have to be treated like an object instead of the human being they are.

When I went to college to become a Physical Therapist Assistant at Sinclair Community College, the program director Mattie Kimbro told us to choose a career in which we would do for free. I have chosen a career in which I would do for free to help others. I just have a difficult time fathoming why some people choose to enter the health profession solely for monetary gains. Do morals and values exist in healthcare anymore? I have worked for contract therapy companies who have been red flagged by Medicare and disbanded for their fraudulent actions, as should be!

In a nursing home setting there are various reimbursement levels in which the facility is reimbursed from Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance companies, and let us not forget those who pay out of their pockets for care. The “goal” is to place the residents as in the highest level possible for higher reimbursement. There have been patients I have seen within the past few months whom were NOT appropriate for therapies, let alone being placed at an ultra-high level which is the highest reimbursement rate allowed. I specifically went to the rehab manager on two occasions, and stated that two specific pts were not appropriate for therapy services and I was told to try to get as much as I could even if I had to do two treatments a day, I was then told, “Don’t tell anyone you are doing that.” Granted the rehab manager was following the guidelines set by her superior, and was reluctant to tell me to go forth with the treatment plan. After reporting this to the supervisor one of those patients was brought to the therapy department which upon observing the rehab manager states, “I am sorry guys, this patient really is not appropriate for therapy.” At first I was angry, thinking, I told you this a week ago. This man died a few days later.

Why should an ill pt have to be forced through therapy when they are not appropriate? I am not a person trying to get out of my job, however I do have a sense of humanity. Is there no respect for those we are supposedly taking care of? I also know there are patients who will tell you every excuse in the world to get out of doing therapy, some we can talk into participating and others have their minds made up that they are not going to do therapy no matter what, again in the back of my mind I think it is the patients right to refuse therapy, why should a rehab department get paid for forcing people to do therapy even when they don’t want to? Patients do have rights!

I am tired of all of the beurocratic issues happening. If you are a licensed professional working in a health care setting, why are you not being PROFESSIONAL? Professionals are taught how to assess patients for appropriateness, why are professionals letting others influence there decision to select patients for therapy when they are not appropriate. Professionals are licensed for a reason, have a title, and took a code of ethics, why lose sight of what you are supposed to be doing?

I understand in such economic times most of us are fortunate enough to have jobs, but why push the limitations on what is ethical and moral. We all have different reason why we like or dislike what lays ahead in healthcare reform, I for one see a desperate need for reform when it comes to ethics in health care. I would hope that people will wake up and take a stand for what is right, I am tired of doing what someone else suggests, just to line their pockets.

Mom Growing Up in Kentucky

This is one of a very few pictures we have of my Mother growing up in the Mountains of Eastern Kentucky. This picture was taken in Viper, Ky, near Hazard Kentucky.

Rejection Or A Blessing?

Today I received news about an interview I went to last week. I have mixed emotions about what has transpired. I went on the interview, wanting the job because it paid more, knowing it really isn't what I am passionate about. All this talk about being passionate about what you want to do in life is a good gesture but is it really practical? I didn't get the job, which at first made me feel rejected, but in the back of my mind I view it as a blessing.

I want to help people and be paid well, do those two goals even go together? Is that wanting my cake and eating it too? I don't know where this situation will lead me, I try to remain positive, at times masking my feelings and emotions. How will I know if this is a day of rejection or of blessings?

I hope in my lifetime I will figure out what I want and develop a plan on achieving my goals.

Blogging

Tonight I was looking at different blog pages and realized I could also do a photo blog. It opened my mind to write about the pictures I have posted. The pictures consist of pictures I have taken, family photos and friend photos. I feel like I am heading in the right direction in regard to my writing. I may never be a pro, but I will never know until I try. So this is my chance!

"Write what you know and you will do well."
-Don Wallis Antioch University McGregor

Renewal

I noticed these flowers growing along the roadside in London, Ky last year on Taylor School Rd. These flowers were growing among a lot of brush and safetly nestled behind a barb wire fence. This entire property had been abandoned, looked like there may have been a fire at one time because the chimney was still in tact. I found this sight to be a renewal of what once was and had to capture the scene. Driving through the mountains can really take a person back several centuries. I often wonder who lived in this place and what their life may have been like.

Applachian Orphan at Dessie Scott, Pine Ridge, Ky "Shane"

When I look at this picture, I realize this is now a grown man. I met his sister in 2005, via the internet and we became best friends. She has shared many stories of her childhood with me. My friend has two siblings, they are twins, Wendy and Shane. When these kids were young their mother took them to an orphanage and left them for three years. When I look at this picture I see an innocent child, who did not deserve to be left at an orphanage for three years. There mother was basically made to come get her kids. I hope to sit down with my friend and get the entire story written, this is only the beginning.

River Road Church Viper, Ky

My aunt Vernease went to home to be with the Lord a few years ago and this was the place of her funeral. This woman was more of a grandmother to me than an aunt. She loved this little church house and made it her final request to have her funeral services here. I wanted to capture the moment as a permanent reminder of her and her life.