Which patient should be resuscitated first?

Abstract

The core principles of deontology are justice and beneficence. The principle of justice and egalitarianism guide health care professionals to treat every client with fairness and equity regardless the prognosis of illness, social and economic status of clients, the social and financial consequences impose on others. Whereas, the principle of beneficence and utilitarianism direct health care professionals to make an ethical decision to provide the maximum benefit and to minimise harm to the greatest number of people involved. When distributing limited health care resources, there could be conflicts between the principle of justice and beneficence or between egalitarians and utilitarians. At times health care professionals have to make a painful decision which only complies with certain ethical principles, but does not adhere to others.