COMMON ETHICAL

DILLEMAS
1. Certification under the MHA
2. Personal Beliefs, opinions,
religion and values.
3. Conflicting Cultural Backgrounds
4. Patient Consent to treatment
ETHICAL
CONCERNS
5. Maintaining Privacy,
confidentiality &Autonomy.

Patient Autonomy IN
1. Ensure the patient has been made
aware of all possibilities regarding their
RESOURCES
  NURSING
1. CRPNBC Code of Ethics & Nursing
treatment. Standards of Practice
2.Inform the patient of all possible 2. The Mental Health Act
consequences. 3. Health Authority or Agency
3. Always act as an advocate to support
the individual.
4. Encourage informed and collaborative
decision making
CRPNBC CODE OF
ETHICS
The CRPNBC Code of Ethics and
Professional Standards for
Psychiatric Nursing require RPNs
to protect the confidentiality of all
information gathered in the
context of the professional
relationship and to practice within
relevant legislation that governs
the privacy, access, use, and
disclosure of personal information
Federal and provincial legislation
protects a person’s right to
privacy and confidentiality of
personal and health information.
Mental health CONSENT
act
In British Columbia, the legal obligations
concerning consent are imposed by
The Mental Health Act addresses consent for legislation, directs RPN practice in
PRIVACY & voluntary & involuntary clients in a psychiatric relation to consent. The Health Care

CONFIDENTIALITY
Privacy is the right of individuals
to determine for themselves to
what extent information is
communicated to others.
Confidentiality means ensuring
that the personal and health
information belonging to another
individual is kept
privateinformation.
facility & involuntary clients on extended leave. (Consent) and Care Facility (Admission)
Consent is given using specific forms, which Act and the Infants Act are key statutes.
are completed before treatment can be Other relevant legislation may include:
provided. A physician conducts the consent ▪ Adult Guardianship Act
process for treatment of clients admitted under ▪ Child, Family, Community Service Act
the MHA and evaluates the client’s mental ▪ Community Care, Assisted Living Act
capability to make a consent decision. If the (Residential Care Regulation)
client is incapable or refuses to give consent, ▪ Mental Health Act
treatment may be authorized by the director of ▪ Patients Property Act
a designated facility & is deemed to be given ▪ Public Health Act
▪ Representation Agreement Act
with the consent of the client (section 31).
▪ Criminal Code (Mental Disorder)
▪ Youth Criminal Justice Act.