FEU- I N

Ethical Considerations and

Public Heath Laws in Nursing
Practice in the Community
Prepared by Dr. Judith Sugay
Introduction
• Nurses practicing in the community setting must be
aware of the existing laws and standards necessary for
safe nursing practice as they experience ethical conflicts in
healthcare delivery system.
• This module would serve as a guide in understanding
Public Health Laws and for safe nursing practice in the
community.
Learning Outcomes
After one hour of completing this module, the
students will be able to:
• Define key terms
• Identify the ethical principles on nursing care
practice
• Enumerate public health laws on nursing
practice in the community
Key Terms
• Ethics: a system of moral principles, and rules
of conduct in respect to a particular class of
human actions or to a particular group of
people.
• Law: a standard or rules of conduct
established and enforced by the government
to protect the public.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Article II: Registered Nurses and the People
Section 4 Ethical Principles:
1. Values, customs, and spiritual beliefs held by individuals shall be
respected.
2. Individual freedom to make rational and unconstrained decisions shall
be respected.
3. Personal information acquired in the process of giving nursing care shall
be held in strict confidence.
.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Section 5 Guidelines to be observed:
• Consider the individuality and totality of patients when they administer
care. Respect the spiritual beliefs and practices of patients regarding diet
and treatment.
• Uphold the rights of individuals.
• Take into consideration the culture and values of patients in providing
nursing care. However, in the event of conflicts, their welfare and safety
must take precedence.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Article III Registered Nurses and Practice
Section 6 Ethical Principles

Section 1. Human life is inviolable

Section 2. Quality and excellence in the care of the patients are the goals
of nursing practice.
Section 3. Accurate documentation of actions and outcomes f delivered
care is the hallmark of nursing accountability.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Article III Registered Nurses and Practice
Section 7. Guidelines to be observed
• Know the definition and scope of nursing practice which are in the provisions
of R.A. No. 9173, known as the “Philippine Nursing Act of 2002” and Board
Res. No. 425, Series of 2003, the “Rules and Regulations Implementing the
Philippine Nursing Act. of 2002”, (the IRR).
• Be aware of their duties and responsibilities in the practice of their profession as
defined in the “Philippine Nursing Act of 2002” and the IRR.
• Acquire and develop the necessary competence in knowledge, skills, and
attitudes to effectively render appropriate nursing services through varied
learning situations.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Article III Registered Nurses and Practice
Guidelines to be observed
• If they are administrators, be responsible in providing favorable environment
for the growth and developments of Registered Nurses in their charge.
• Be cognizant that professional programs for specialty certification by the Board
of Nursing (BON) are accredited through the Nursing Specialty Certification
Council (NSCC).
• See to it that quality nursing care and practice meet the optimum standard of
safe nursing practice.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Article III Registered Nurses and Practice
Guidelines to be observed
• If in the position of authority in a work environment, be normally and legally
responsible for devising a system of minimizing occurrences of ineffective and
unlawful nursing practice.
• Ensure that patients' records shall be available only if they are to be issued to
those who are professionally and directly involved in their care and when they
are required by law.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Article III Registered Nurses and Practice

Section 8. Ethical Principle

4. Registered Nurses are the advocates of the patients: they shall take appropriate
steps to safeguard their rights and privileges.
Section 9. Guidelines to be observed:
Registered nurses must
• Respect the “Patients’ Bill of Rights” in the delivery of nursing care.
• Provide the patients or their families with all pertinent information except those
which may be deemed harmful to their well-being.
• Uphold the patients’ rights when conflict arises regarding management of their
care.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Article III Registered Nurses and Practice

Section 10 . Registered Nurses are aware that their actions have professional, ethical,
moral, and legal dimensions. They strive to perform their work in the best interest of all
concerned.
Section 11. Guidelines to be observed:
Registered nurses must
• Respect the “Patients’ Bill of Rights” in the delivery of nursing care.
• Perform their professional duties in conformity with existing laws, rules
regulations. measures, and generally accepted principles of moral conduct and
proper decorum.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Article III Registered Nurses and Practice
(Section 11 .) Guidelines to be observed:
• Not allow themselves to be used in advertisement that should demean the
image of the profession (i.e. indecent exposure, violation of dress code, seductive
behavior, etc.).
• Decline any gift, favor or hospitality which might be interpreted as capitalizing
on patients.
• Not demand and receive any commission, fee or emolument for recommending
or referring a patient to a physician, a co-nurse or another PRC-BN health care
worker; not to pay any commission, fee or other compensations to the one
referring or recommending a patient to them for nursing care.
• Avoid any abuse of the privilege relationship which exists with patients and of
the privilege access allowed to their property, residence or workplace.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Article V Registered Nurses Society, and Environment
Section 14
Ethical Principles
1. The preservation of life, respect for human rights, and promotion of
healthy environment shall be a commitment of a Registered Nurse.
2. The establishment of linkages with the public in promoting local, national,
and international efforts to meet health and social needs of the people as
a contributing member of society is a noble concern of a Registered
Nurse.
 Ethical Principles for the Filipino Nurses:
Article V
Section 15. Guidelines to be Observed
Registered nurses must
1. be conscious of their obligations as citizens and, as such, be involved in
community concerns.
2. be equipped with knowledge of health resources within the community, and
take active roles in primary health care.
3. actively participate in programs, projects, and activities that respond to the
4. problems of society.
5. lead their lives in conformity with the principles of right conduct and proper
decorum.
6. project an image that will uplift the nursing profession at all times.
 PUBLIC HEALTH LAWS

• Republic Act (RA) No. 7305 referred to as the “Magna Carta for Health Workers”

• Section 2. Declaration of Policy and Objectives – The State shall instill health consciousness
among our people to effectively carry out the health programs and projects of the
government essential for the growth and health of the nation. Towards this end, their Act
aims: (a) to promote and improve the social and economic well-being of the health workers,
their living and working conditions and terms of employment; (b) to develop their skills and
capabilities in order that they will be more responsive and better equipped to deliver health
projects and programs; and (c) to encourage those with proper qualifications and excellent
abilities to join and remain in government service.
Republic Act 9173

• An act providing for a more responsive nursing profession, repealing

for the purpose RA 7164 otherwise known as the Philippine Nursing
Act of 1991” and for other purposes.
• It is an act declaring the policy of the state to assure responsibilities
for the protection and improvement of the nursing profession
instituting measures that will result in relevant nursing education,
humane working conditions, better career prospects, and a dignified
existence for our nurses.
Republic Act 11332 -
of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of

Aim: to protect people from public health threats through the efficient
and effective disease surveillance of diseases of public health concern.
The law recognizes the disease surveillance and response systems of the
Department of Health (DOH) and its local counterparts as the first line
of defense against epidemics or any events that may pose a health
threats to the public.
 Presidential Decree (PD) No. 856,
the Code of Sanitation

• provides or the control of all factors in man’s

environment that affect health including the quality of
water, food, milk, control of insects, animal carriers,
transmitters of disease, sanitary and recreation facilities,
noise, pollution, unpleasant odors and control of
nuisance.
 -in

• Provides that babies born in private and government

hospitals should be roomed-in with their mother to
promote breastfeeding and ensure made and
adequate nutrition to children.
 Executive Order (EO) No. 51 The Milk
Code
• Also referred to as the "National Code of Marketing of
Breastmilk substitutes, breastmilk supplement, and other related
products.”
• Aim: To contribute to the provision of safe and adequate
nutrition for infants by the protection and promotion of breast
feeding and by ensuring the proper use of breastmilk substitutes
and breastmilk supplements when these are necessary, on the
basis of adequate information and through appropriate
marketing and distribution.
Republic Act
9288
Newborn
Screening.
An act promulgating a
comprehensive policy and a
national system for ensuring
Newborn Screening.
Republic Act No.

Emergency Relief and

Directs national and local government

agencies to implement and sustain
comprehensive emergency program to
protect children from disasters and
emergencies.
• Presidential Decree No. 996
requires the compulsory immunization of all children below 8 years of age against
the six childhood immunizable diseases.
• Republic Act No. 10666 “ Children’s safety on motorcycles act of 2015:
two-wheeled motorcycle riders may not be allowed to drive on a motorcycle with
a small child on board.
• Republic Act No. 8749 - Clean Air Act
is a comprehensive air quality management policy and program which aims to
achieve and maintain healthy air for all Filipinos.
• Republic Act 9262 –
Anti-Violence against women and the children.
• Republic Act No. 6675 –
The Generics Act of 1988 which promotes, requires, and ensures the production of
an adequate supply distribution and transportation of prohibited drugs is
punishable by law.
 Republic Act No. 7432.

• Maximize the contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building,

Grant Benefits and Special Privileges.
• It entitles the elderly to a twenty percent (20%) discount in all
public establishments and free medical and dental check up and
hospitalization in all government hospitals.
• Republic Act No. 7875
National Health Insurance Program. The act instituting a national health
insurance program for all Filipinos and establishing the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) for the purpose.
• Republic Act No. 7719
also known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994, promotes
voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood and
to regulate blood banks.
• Republic Act No. 7719
also known as the National Blood Services Act of 1994, promotes
voluntary blood donation to provide sufficient supply of safe blood and
to regulate blood banks.
• Republic Act 10121 The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Act.
An act strengthening the Philippine disaster risk reduction and
management system, providing for the national disaster risk
reduction and management framework and institutionalizing the
national disaster risk reduction and management plan,
appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes.
• Republic Act No. 10821 Children's Emergency Relief and protection Act.
This Republic Act No. 10821 of the Government of the
Philippines mandates the provision of emergency relief and protection
for children before, during, and after disaster and other emergency
situations.
• Executive Order No. 26.
Providing for the establishment of smoke-free environment in public and
enclosed places.
• Republic Act 7719. “National Blood Services Act of 1994”.
An act promoting voluntary blood donation, providing for an adequate
supply of safe blood, regulating blood banks, and providing penalties for
violation thereof.
• Republic Act No. 9165 “ Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002”
It is the policy of the State to safeguard the integrity of its territory and
the well-being of its citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful
effects of dangerous drugs on their physical and mental well-being, and
to defend the same against acts or omissions detrimental to their
development and preservation. In view of the foregoing, the State
needs to enhance further the efficacy of the law against dangerous
drugs, it being one of today's more serious social ills.
Thank you!