Hospital Resource Distribution and the Ethical Principle of Justice

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 occurrence has placed significant pressure on critical care units (ICUs) and other patients, and it is still creating problems. The problem is that many patients need respiratory assistance and have sometimes lengthy ICU stays, which leads to problems with the hospital’s resources including mechanical ventilation and beds. It is not always theoretically possible to treat all patients needing intensive care, which poses crucial ethical dilemmas as to who should benefit from and not be shortened from the available services.

Objectives: This article aims to discuss the issues regarding hospital resources and the ethical principle of justice during the current outbreak of COVID-19.

Methods: The method employed in this article is qualitative based. This article will analyse the materials to study the patterns of legal issues in digital platforms and use digital data in enhancing the policy response. Analysis of content can range from simple word counting to thematic analysis or conceptual analysis via the digital platforms of websites and digital data from the Ministry of Health (Malaysia) and the World Health Organisation.

Results: Aside from that, this paper depicts the language and communication between the doctor and the patient in a way that both parties can comprehend. For instance, Bahasa Melayu and English language. This article found that there are shortages of resources to be distributed to patients during the pandemic COVID-19.

Conclusions: In conclusion, it is suggested that it is incumbent for the government to prepare a policy response to address the needs of hospital resources without neglecting the ethical theory of justice.