Infectious Diseases: Challenges and Solutions
August 9, 2007
Letter to the Editor by Sophia M. Jones to 'What Would You Do? Ethics and Infection Control' by Ruth Ludwick, PhD, RN.C, CNS and Mary Cipriano Silva, PhD, RN, FAAN (November 6, 2006)
Reply by Authors
Dear Editor:
I write in response to the Ethics Column by Drs. Ludwick and Silva entitled, 'What Would You Do? Ethics and Infection Control.' I am responding to the section of this column which invites readers to think about, and open a dialogue regarding, what they would do if they were a preceptor for a senior student who desired to care for a patient who might have severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
I would not allow students to care for that patient due to the risk that they may be placing themselves in. As a student, I believe that certain precautionary measures should be taken to protect students. As a preceptor, I would want all of my students to have a well-rounded learning experience including every area of practice in nursing. However, if I believe that a situation would put students and my license at risk, I would not allow students to care for that particular patient, even though providing this care would teach the students the importance of practicing universal precautions as part of any patient care they are providing.
Sophia M. Jones RN, AAS
RN'‘BSN Student
School of Nursing Downstate Medical Center
New York, NY
Email: sophiamjones@yahoo.com
