PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN NURSING AND LABORATORY WORK: PROTECTING PATIENT RIGHTS AND ENSURING QUALITY OF SERVICE

Abstract

Professional ethics in nursing and laboratory work play a crucial role in safeguarding patient rights and maintaining the quality of healthcare services. This study explores the core ethical principles, including autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and confidentiality, as they relate to nursing and laboratory practices. Nurses and laboratory professionals are entrusted with responsibilities that require adherence to ethical standards to ensure patients receive equitable, compassionate, and high-quality care. Emphasis is placed on respecting patient autonomy by obtaining informed consent and ensuring transparent communication. The role of confidentiality in protecting patient privacy, especially in laboratory diagnostics and record handling, is also examined. Challenges such as ethical dilemmas, resource limitations, and cultural differences are discussed, highlighting the importance of ongoing education and institutional support in fostering ethical decision-making. The study concludes by emphasizing that adherence to professional ethics not only protects patient rights but also enhances trust in the healthcare system and contributes to improved health outcomes.