Institute of Nursing

Far Eastern University

N. Reyes St., Sampaloc Manila
S.Y. 2020-2021

Community Health Nursing 1 (Individual and Family)

Concept: Ethical Consideration and Public Health Laws in
Nursing Practice in the Community.
By: Dr. Judith J. Sugay

I. Module 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.

II. 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

III. Content
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:

A. 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.

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 Section 5. Guidelines to be observed:
Registered Nurses must
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.

B. Article III Registered Nurses and Practice

Section 6. Ethical Principles

1. Human life is inviolable
2. Quality and excellence in the care of the patients are the goals of nursing practice.
3. Accurate documentation of actions and outcomes of delivered care is the hallmark
of nursing accountability.
Section 7. Guidelines to be observed:
Registered Nurses must
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.
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
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.
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.

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 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:

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.

Section 10. Ethical Principle

5. 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.
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.

C. 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.
Section 15. Guidelines to be observed:
Registered Nurses must
be conscious of their obligations as citizens and, as such, be involved in
community concerns.

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 be equipped with knowledge of health resources within the community, and
take active roles in primary health care.
actively participate in programs, projects, and activities that respond to the
problems of society.
lead their lives in conformity with the principles of right conduct and proper
decorum.
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 – “ Philippine Nursing Act of 2002”. 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 - “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of
Public Health Concern Act”. This aims 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.

Republic Act No. 10028 amending Republic Act No. 7600- This is known as the “Expanding
Breast Feeding Promotion Act.” An act providing incentives to all government and private
health institutions with rooming-in and breastfeeding practices and for other purposes.

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 Executive Order (EO) No. 51 The Milk Code - "National Code of Marketing of Breastmilk
substitutes, breastmilk supplement, and other related products. The aim of the code is
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. 10821 “The Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act” that directs
national and local government agencies to implement and sustain comprehensive emergency
program to protect children from disasters and emergencies.

Republic Act 10152 - repealed Presidential Decree No. 996. This act is known as the
“Mandatory Infants and Child Health Immunization Act of 2011.” An act providing for
mandatory basic immunization services for infants and children.

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, Gran
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.

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 R.A. 9502 of 2008, the Cheaper Medicines Act. An act providing for cheaper and quality
medicines, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 8293 or the intellectual property code,
Republic Act No. 6675 or the Generics Act of 1988, and Republic Act No. 5921 or the Pharmacy
Law, and for other purposes.

Republic Act 9262 Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act. An act defining
violence against women and their children, providing for protective measures for victims,
prescribing penalties therefore, and for other purposes.

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.

IV. References
Cuevas, F. (2007). Public Health Nursing in the Philippines 10th edition. National League of
Philippine Government Nurses, Inc.

Promulgation of the Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses retrieved at

https://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/Board%20of%20Nursing-CE.pdf
www.doh.gov.ph

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