title: Patient autonomy. Legal and ethical issues in the post-anaesthetic care unit.
abstract: The need for patient autonomy, empowerment and choice has become central to health reforms. Confronted with the prospects of such perpetual changes, respect for patient autonomy has to be tempered with paternalistic beneficence. This article discusses the difficulties encountered when applying patient autonomy within the post-anaesthetic care unit (PACU), evaluating ethical, legal and professional issues.
authors.affiliation: West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Humphreys
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D026686:Beneficence; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000941:ethics; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010146:Pain / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D026706:Paternalism / Q000941:ethics; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D028701:Patient Rights / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D011997:Recovery Room / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006113:United Kingdom