CODE OF ETHICS FOROSTOMY AND WOUND CARE NURSESIN TURKEY

Each member of the profession makes a vow to perform “good” and “correct” actions concerning the profession when starting to practice the profession. Professionalism obliges members of the profession to do what is “good” and “correct” concerning their roles.

WOINA was established in 2008 in order to strengthen ostomy and wound care nursing in Turkey. This young association has decided to determine “Code of Ethics for Ostomy And Wound Care Nurses In Turkey” in order to enable ostomy and wound care nurses to act ethically.

The Code of Ethics for Ostomy And Wound Care Nursesdeveloped in July 2014 by WOINA have been presented below.We are sharing these ethical principles with the hope that they will be beneficial to our colleagues in many countries in the world and individuals with a stoma.

CODE OF ETHICS FOROSTOMY AND WOUND CARE NURSESIN TURKEY

A- PURPOSE

The purpose of the Code of Ethics for Ostomy And Wound Care Nursescan be defined as follows:identifying behavior complying with ethical principles for nurses providing care to ostomy, wound, and incontinence patients and to inform and guide professionals these nurses are cooperating with and the public.

B- SCOPE

These ethical codes are associated to ostomy and wound care nurses caring for stoma, wound, incontinence, and tissue disintegration patients.

C- BASIS

These ethical codes were prepared based on patient rights, patient rights declarations, the Code of Ethics of the International Council of Nurses, the text of the Ethical Principles and Responsibilities of the Turkish Nurses Association, the Nursing Practice Codes of the World Enterostomal Therapy Association, and the Rights of Individuals with Ostomy prepared by the International Ostomy Association.

D- THE PRINCIPLE OF RESPECT FOR AUTONOMY

With regards to the individual with a stoma, wound, and incontinence,

The Ostomy and Wound Care Nurse shall;

  1. Respect his/her dignity, privacy, and rights.
  2. Respect his/her beliefs, values, and culture.
  3. Ensure that s/he is accurately and adequately informed on care.
  4. Ensure that s/he participates in decisions concerning his/her care.
  5. Receive his/her verbal and written consent concerning his/her care.
  6. Ensure that s/he is involved in care.
  7. Take care concerning the confidentiality and privacy of his/her personal information.
  8. In case the 4th and 5th principles are not fulfilled, legal and ethical approaches guaranteeing the protection of the individual’s autonomy will be applied.

E- THE PRINCIPLE OF BENEFICENCE/NON-MALEFICENCE

The Ostomy and Wound Care Nurse shall;

  1. Preoperatively determine the stoma site by cooperating with the individual and ensure that the stoma is opened in the area suiting the individual the most.
  2. Ensure that the individual benefits from healthcare in the best manner by providing care training, consultancy, and rehabilitation services in line with the needs of the individual.
  3. Ensure that the individual receives care with the most suitable materials.
  4. Teach colostomy irrigation to relevant individuals and enhance their quality of living.
  5. Take measures to prevent the individual from being harmed due to negligence, carelessness, and inexperience.
  6. Take measure against problems/complications that may develop in the individual.
  7. Constantly observe the benefits of the individual during communication with persons and organizations engaged in the selection, production, and marketing of stoma and wound care products and assume their advocacy.
  8. Assume a role in ensuring/arranging the permanence of the treatment of the individual.

F- THE PRINCIPLE OF JUSTICE

The Ostomy and Wound Care Nurse shall;

  1. Provide care, training, consultancy, and rehabilitation services to the individual regardless of gender, age, race, color, faith, and nationality, political and social status.
  2. Utilizes all resources (labor, materials, time, etc.) in a fair manner when providing care.
  3. Inform individuals on the financial opportunities and services provided by the country in relation to health support systems.
  4. Ensure that the individual familiarize the stoma and wound care products in the country so s/he can use the most appropriate product.
  5. Assist the individual in ensuring that s/he is informed on national and international support organizations in order to make the life of the individual easier.
  6. Not engage in a self-interest based relationship with persons, institutions, and organizations.

G- PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Ostomy and Wound Care Nurse shall;

  1. Act in a manner protecting the honor of ostomy and wound care nursing.
  2. Perform investigations concerning stomas, wounds, and incontinence and compose new evidence.
  3. Contribute to the development of new products concerning stomas, wounds, and incontinence.
  4. Develop standards concerning stomas, wounds, and incontinence.
  5. Contribute to the development of wound ostomy nursing in Turkey and the world.
  6. Maintain professional development and contribute to the development of colleagues.
  7. Contribute to professional organization in order to positively develop the economic and social statuses and work conditions of wound ostomy nurses.
  8. Not transfer duties and responsibilities cornering stoma and wound care to incompetent individuals.

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