In a specific disaster scenario, it may be necessary to quarantine patients in a
ID: 122267 • Letter: I
Question
In a specific disaster scenario, it may be necessary to quarantine patients in an effort to prevent the spread of a contagious disease. However, the decision to quarantine patients and the logistics of implementing quarantine raise several ethical and legal questions. On the basis of your understanding of this topic, answer the following questions: What are the ethical issues faced while enacting quarantine? What are the legal issues faced while enacting quarantine? Is it ethical to quarantine patients against their will? Why or why not?
Explanation / Answer
Quarantine and isolation are the most complex and controversial public health powers. Quarantine and isolation expose the tension between the interests of society in protecting the health of its citizens and the civil liberties of individuals, such as privacy, non-discrimination, freedom of movement, and freedom from arbitrary detention.
Quarantine imposes some serious financial and psychological hardships on the affected individuals. Usually individuals quarantined suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Public resistance and loss of trust by the public also a ethical issue faced while enacting quarantine.
States have police power functions to protect the health, safety, and welfare of persons within their borders. To control the spread of disease within their borders, states have laws to enforce the use of isolation and quarantine.
The global implications of quarantine and travel restrictions are the major legal issues faced while enacting quarantine. Other legal issues include reporting, health-alert notices, collection and dissemination of passenger information and physical examination or management of sick or exposed individuals.
It is ethical to quarantine patients against their will because it is adequate to control the decease. If the quarantine doesn't take place decease may spread and the whole community will be exposed to danger.