Obtaining an informed consent is a vital part of current health care. This document lists out several key pieces of information for both the patient, Provider, and the ancillary staff that also access the document during the procedure process. However, obtaining informed consent has not always been the practice norm and in research, informed consent carries different specifications. Surgical or Procedure Informed Consent.
When a patient is going through the pre-operative stages for surgery or a procedure there is a moment when the provider performing the surgery or procedure must explain the surgery or procedure and the risks to having the surgery or procedure. The risks vary for different surgeries or procedures but the risks must be explained so the patient understands. The provider then obtains a signature from the patient and the provider signs to verify that they did take the time to explain the risks to having the surgery or procedure.
This signed informed consent is used for verification by the pre-operative staff in designated “time outs” to make sure as the patient is going in for the surgery or procedure that it is the correct patient, the correct side of the body, and that the patient agrees, one last time, that they are in for the documented procedure. Using the informed consent in this manner gives an extra level of double checking to make sure that the correct patient and procedure are being done. Research Informed Consent Obtaining informed in the research field of science and medicine is just as important.
The objectives are the same as the surgical and procedure consent by educating the patient to the procedure being performed and the risks to that procedure. Informed consent has not always been required when obtaining human cells for research. The history of Henrietta Lacks shows this very well. Henrietta Lacks Henrietta Lacks sought out treatment for her abdominal pain and the lump in her belly and eventually received the diagnoses of cervical cancer by a physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Mrs. Lacks signed a consent for the treatment of her cervical cancer. The consent Mrs. Lacks signed was worded: OPERATION PERMIT.
I hereby give consent to the staff of The Johns Hopkins Hospital to perform any operative procedures and under any anaesthetic either local or general that they may deem necessary in the proper surgical care and treatment of: ______________________________. (Skloot, 2010, p. 1) This crude consent was signed by Mrs. Lacks and a witness for the treatment of her cervical cancer treatments but does not mention the removal of two pieces of her cervix. While she was under anesthesia and without her knowledge the surgeon removed a piece of the diseased tissue of her cervix and a piece of healthy tissue as well.
The tissue samples were sent to the lab, the same procedure as other samples that were collected from other patients, to be studied for reproduction. Unbeknownst to Mrs. Lacks or her surviving family her cells began to grow like no other cells before and changed the future of science and medicine. Ethical Issue In the 1950’s, when Henrietta Lacks’ cell were harvested from her without her consent, there was no requirement to have a patient sign an informed consent to collect tissue for research.
The cells that were grown were given to other scientists, at no cost, and have been used in countless projects and experiments over the past 62 years. It is next to impossible to calculate the money generated from Mrs. Lacks’ cells. Many ethical questions have evolved because of Mrs. Lacks’ case. Should the family receive compensation for their matriarch’s involuntary contributions to science and medicine? Who would be responsible for the compensation? Should Johns Hopkins Hospital be responsible for harvesting her tissue without her consent?
The debate to these questions and many more will continue as discussion for a very long time, possibly forever. Ethical Responsibility AstraZeneca sets a goal of being recognized for their high standards in science and how they can impact disease while still being a trusted company in the way they deliver results. Code of Conduct AstraZeneca starts internally with their Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct set the standards for the research for maintaining work performance within the laws and regulations set forth by the countries that AstraZeneca employs people.
Bioethics Bioethics as defined by Merriam-Webster is “a discipline dealing with the ethical implications of biological research and applications especially in medicine” (“Term Definition,” 2013). AstraZeneca has a very detailed global policy that covers the aspects of research and development so that the people involved understand the policies and procedures. The global policy covers clinical trial transparency, obtaining informed consent, human embryonic stem cells, genetically modified organisms, and using animals in research studies to name a few.
AstraZeneca has created the Bioethics Advisory Group, BAG, that is comprised of experts within the company to consult on new and future bioethical issues. Social Responsibilities Commitment to helping people lives healthier, longer lives is part of the social responsibility that AstraZeneca strives to achieve. All operations within AstraZeneca focus to continue to make a difference in the world. Company Being an ethical pharma company is a goal set by AstraZeneca. Ethical business practices affect every aspect of their daily operations.
Environment Reducing hazardous waste, recycling, and energy conservation are serious environmental issues that face our world today. AstraZeneca takes these environmental responsibilities seriously to help maintain the sustainability of our global environment. Community AstraZeneca believes in affordable health care and prescription drugs. These two very current issues face all people. AstraZeneca has initiated the Young Health Program to help young people with health problems globally to access care.
This help to young people gives them help in an avenue to medicine they would not have had otherwise. People AstraZeneca values the communication it has with physicians and patients. Maintaining open communication is important for the responsibility AstraZenca invests back into the people it is trying to help live healthy lives. References Skloot, R. (2010). The Miracle Woman. Retrieved from http://www. oprah. com/world/Excerpt-From-The-Immortal-Life-of-Henrietta-Lacks_1/4 Term definition. (2013). In Bioethics. Retrieved from http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/bioethics.