Underlying Ethical and Legal Principles Involved with sexual activity involving provider/patient and employee/employer

Healthcare organizations, providers, employers, are always expected to ethically and legally follow set of rules and procedures in making sure they practice the right practice of medicine in providing quality care for the patients. Healthcare professionals are required to observe to the prevalent standards of care required within their professions. For example, a nurse’s sexual relations with a patient can give rise to disciplinary actions resulting in the nurse’s loss of license as in Heineche v. Department of Commerce. Healthcare professionals who are involved in sexual improprieties are subject to civil and criminal litigation and, along with other criminal and/or civil penalties, may have their licenses revoked. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can be involved in the case of misappropriation of sexual activities in the healthcare facilities and corporations and can result in their loss of provider license and other medical executionary suits.