Review your classmates’ resource allocation plan and justification. Analyze the ethical concerns you have that may negatively impact the hospital. Describe the potential backlash that may result from their plan. Respond to at least two classmates. Your response must be at least 100 words.

1) Krista   Resource allocation is difficult to determine when dealing with limited funds. “The ethical implications of rationing will continue to be highly contentious,” (Waldron, p.290, 2006). Allocating funds has become a political and social debate among communities. Waldron (2006) states, “policy makers have been forced to restrict treatment even when the need is great,” (p.291, 2006). With advancing technology, the elderly and people living with chronic illnesses are experiencing higher quality of lives and living longer than before (Waldron, 2006).

When it comes to allocating resources, patients are supposed to come first when considering quality of care. The World Health Organization states that efficacy, equality, and service to provide for the greater good are the aspects to consider when allocating resources (Guindo et. al, 2012). With that said, in order to give such quality of care, equipment and technology must be operable and in good condition. There are many ethical considerations that arise when considering where the funding goes in the hospital setting. Having two x-ray machines in a hospital is important in providing quality, efficient care to the patients. However, it is not a reasonable expense to purchase a brand new machine at this time. The x-ray machine will have to be leased, cutting the price in half. Having updated equipment allows for tax benefits at the end of the year. The x-ray machine will be leased for $50 million, instead of purchasing a brand new machine for $100 million. Healthcare education is one of the most important aspects in operating a hospital. Training and certification will have to be paid for by my facility, costing $55 million. The damaged ambulance drive-in is a potential hazard to patients and the drivers. This cost will have to consumed by my facility, resulting in a $25 million expenditure. The emergency room department is an important part of hospital operations, and will need to have all costs covered. Spending $100 million on the emergency department will remain in effect. For the greater good of the patients being treated I must take into consideration the finances and time management that will be spent on caring for one cancer patient versus caring for a group of patients. I will advise the care team to come up with the most productive outcome for the cancer patient on when, where, and how to be medically treated. This cancer patient would likely be eligible for government funding and hospice care. Therefore, with the amount of team needed to be spent on the patient, it would be in the patient’s best interest to seek hospice care, as well as a cancer treatment facility with more advanced technology. As the patient seeks proper medical care in another facility, I am saving $100 million. For the greater good of the community I will be keeping the 10 patients receiving assistance in my inpatient rehabilitation center. This will prevent them from being released before they have had the proper treatment dealing with their conditions. Having a fully operating MRI in good condition is important financially, as well as for my patients. I need to have equipment that will survive many years in my facility. I will spend the $170 million to update my equipment, and buy a new MRI machine. Lastly, the two elderly patients will not undergo hip replacement surgery in my facility. While the elderly population is undoubtedly important to my facility, I must make unfortunate decisions in order to maintain my operations. The two elderly patients will be advised to undergo physical therapy before any surgical recommendations will be made, saving my facility $50 million. My total budget comes out to $500 million.

Healthcare funding. Funding decisions in chronically sick individuals.; British Journal of Nursing, 15(5): 286-291. 6p. ISSN: 0966-0461 PMID: 16607261. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

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2) Tammy  The health care is booming, and is faced with budget and dilemmas everyday. In this particular dilemma having $500 million to work with, and $700 million in expenses, is a dilemma at stake; I need a plan to do and explain my reason as well as the ethical consideration behind my decision

(1) One 35 year old cancer patient who needs significant time with the doctor,medical supplies,tests, and around the clock care:  Cost 100
(2) Emergency Room operations for daily care and treatment of about 100 people (-365,000/year) : Cost 100
(3). 10 patients (ranging in age from 18 to 45) receiving assistance in your inpatient/drug/alcohol rehab unit: Cost 100
(4). An MRI unit that is on the fritz and could die any day:  Replacement Coat 170
(5). One of your two X-ray machine is inoperable and must be replaced: Cost 100
(6). Ambulance drive-in area was damaged and needs to be repaired: Cost 25
(7). 2 Senior Patients who need hip replacement surgery: Cost 50
(8). Training needs for nursing staff for certification requirements: Cost 55

These all Totaling: $700 million

I would cut the MRI unit replacement cost because if needed there are different locations that offer MRI service. Since I have two X-ray machines and one is working I can cut the cost of the one not working. The other would be the drive in area that was damaged and needs repaired I could cut that cost because there are other drive up area that could be used. So with these not being applied could save 295 which means a balanced budget for other expenses.
One of the important aspects is our patients so keeping the 35 year old cancer patient would keep a lawsuit off my hands endangering welfare of the patient.On that same note it would be unethical to endanger your community with issues such as driving under the influence, illegal drug sales, and alcohol abuse problems in your community. Your nursing staff members do not obtain the training on their own for various reasons they wont be updated on knowledge and resources to do their job providing necessary training and continuing education for your key personnel is critical to maintaining state and federal standards as high quality care. The Emergency Room is above  and beyond which balances the expense of ethical integrity.

Resources: Health care ethics and medical law Chapter 8 Ethical Resource Allocation, Rowe,J.(2013). Understanding the context of moral dilemmas in health care organizations:Perspectives for employee training and continuing education. Home Health Care Management Practice, 25(4), 141-147. Retrieved from the SAGE journals online database